

















































































































/ 


MITCHELL’S NEW SCHOOL GEOGRAPHY. 

FOURTH BOOK OF THE SERIES. 


A SYSTEM 

OF 

MODERN GEOGRAPHY, 

PHYSICAL, POLITICAL, AND DESCRIPTIVE; 

ACCOMPANIED BY A 

NEW ATLAS OF FORTY-FOUR COPPERPLATE MAPS, 

AND ILLUSTRATED BY 

TWO HUNDRED ENGRAVINGS. 



AUTHOR OF A SERIES OF GEOGRAPHICAL WORKS. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

PUBLISHED BY E. H. BUTLER & CO. 

AND FOR SALE BY ALL BOOKSELLERS IN TUE UNITED STATES. 

1867 . 




Grifcs 

\%Cl 


MITCHELL’S NEW SERIES OF GEOGRAPHIES—ENTIRELY NEW, 
TEXT, MAPS, AND ILLUSTRATIONS— include Mitchell’s First Lessons 
in Geography, Mitchell’s New Primary Geography, Mitchell's New In¬ 
termediate Geography, Mitchell’s New School Geography and Atlas, 
and Mitchell’s New Ancient Geography. 


Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1865, by 
S. AUGUSTUS MITCHELL, 

In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States for the Eastern 

District of Pennsylvania. 


MITCHELL’S (OLD) * SERIES OF GEOGRAPHIES, REVISED AND 
BROUGHT DOWN TO 18G5, include Mitchell’s (old) Primary Geogra- 
pny, Mitchell’s (old) School Geography and Atlas, Mitchell’s (old) 
Ancient Geography and Atlas, Mitchell’s (old) Geographical Question 
Book, and Mitchell’s Biblical Geography. 

I*-,/. 

r * t v 

r l 1 


ELECTROTYPED BY L. JOHNSON & CO., PHILADELPHIA. 
PRINTED BY SHERMAN & CO. 





PREFACE. 


Geography is twofold, Physical and Political. Physical 
Geography is valuable mainly because it makes Political Geo¬ 
graphy more intelligible. We study the natural features of the 
Earth, in order that we may better understand Man who inhabits 
it,—his political, social, and religious condition. If Physical 
Geography is the foundation, Political Geography is the super¬ 
structure, without which the foundation is of little account. 

In the present treatise, these two elements of the science are 
combined, and wrought into one consistent and harmonious 
whole. In the account that is given of every part of the earth, 
whether large or small, one uniform order is pursued. First, 
the Natural features are described, including the locality and 
size; the mountains, plains, rivers, lakes, seas, and generally 
whatever constitutes the surface; the soil and climate; the pro¬ 
ducts, or what the soil and climate produce, and the minerals:— 
all these coming under the head of its Physical character. 
Secondly, the Political features are described, including the 
population, as to race and descent, as well as to numbers; the 
manners and customs of the people; the capitals and chief 
towns; the government and religion, and, occasionally, important 
historical statements:—all these coming under the head of Poli¬ 
tical Geography. 

By following this method uniformly throughout the book, 
several important advantage's are secured. 1. Greater clearness 
and exactness of statement are obtained. 2. A much larger 



4 


PREFACE. 


amount of information is given in the same space, without 
crowding or confusion. 3. It is easier to refer to any par¬ 
ticular fact that is wanted. 4. The matter, when thus pre¬ 
sented, is more readily understood. 5. It is more easily 
learned. 6. It is more easily taught. 7. It remains more 
permanently fixed in the memory. Indeed, there is no science 
in which a clear and natural method is of more importance 
than it is in Geography, where the facts are so numerous and 
varied, and where accuracy is of such vital consequence. The 
reader is invited to open the hook at any part of it, to see how 
thoroughly this method has been carried out. 

The Atlas accompanying this volume has the large number 
of forty-four copperplate maps, all engraved with the greatest 
care, from original drawings, by Mr. J. H. Young, compiled 
from the great Atlases of Keith Johnston, Kiepert, and the 
Geographical Institute of Weimar, from the U. S. Coast Sur¬ 
veys, the Surveys of the War Department and of the several 
States, and from other reliable authorities. 

Attention is invited also to the Geographical Tables and to the 
valuable and extensive Pronouncing Vocabulary in the Atlas; to 
the large number and the excellent character of the engravings 
in the book, most of which are from original drawings of the 
objects represented; and, finally, to the evidences of con¬ 
scientious care which has been bestowed upon every depart¬ 
ment of the work—literary, artistic, and mechanical—to make 
it, if possible, in every way worthy of the present advanced 
state of geographical knowledge and of popular education. 


Philadelphia, June, 1865. 


CONTENTS, 




PAGE 


Principles and Definitions.... 7 

Natural or Physical Geo¬ 
graphy. 9 

Divisions of the Land. 9 

Divisions of the Water. 13 

Astronomical or Mathemati¬ 
cal Geography. 17 

Imaginary lines used on 

Globes, Maps, Ac. 20 

The Zones. 24 

Maps. 29 

Civil or Political Geography 32 

The Races of Mankind. 32 

Political Divisions. 39 

Forms of Government. 41 

Varieties of Language. 43 

The Earth (Western and Eastern 

Hemispheres). 48 

North America. 53 

Danish America. 59 

Greenland. 59 

Iceland. 00 

Russian America. 62 

British America. 62 

New Britain. 63 

Canada. 65 

New Brunswick. 71 

Nova "Scotia. 73 

Prince Edward Island. 74 

Newfoundland. 75 

British Columbia and Van¬ 
couver Island. 77 

United States. 80 

Classification of the States... 92 

Maine. 92 

New Hampshire. 95 

Vermont. 97 

Massachusetts. 99 

Rhode Island. 102 

Connecticut. 104 

New York. 107 

New Jersey. Ill 


PAGE 


Pennsylvania. 114 

Delaware. 118 

Maryland. 120 

District of Columbia. 122 

Virginia. 123 

West Virginia. 126 

North Carolina. 128 

South Carolina. 130 

Georgia. 133 

Florida. 135 

Alabama. 137 

Mississippi. 140 

Louisiana. 143 

Texas. 145 

Arkansas. 148 

Tennessee. 150 

Ohio. 152 

Kentucky. 156 

Indiana. 158 

Illinois..*. 160 

Missouri. 163 

Iowa. 167 

Michigan. 168 

Wisconsin.!. 171 

Minnesota. 174 

Kansas. 177 

California. 178 

Oregon. 182 

Nevada. 184 

Territories. 185 

Nebraska. 186 

Colorado. 187 

Indian. 189 

New Mexico. 191 

Dakota. 192 


Territory attached to Dakota 194 


Montana. 194 

Idaho. 195 

Washington. 197 

Utah. 198 

Arizona. 200 

Mexico. 201 

Central America. 207 

Guatemala. 209 


1* 


5 


















































































G 


CONTENTS 


Honduras. 

San Salvador. 

Nicaragua. 

Costa Rica. 

Balize. 

West Indies. 

Bahama Islands. 

Greater Antilles. 

Cuba. 

Ilayti. 

Jamaica. 

Porto Rico... 

Lesser Antilles. 

Caribbee Islands. 

Bermudas. 

South America. 

United States of Colombia. 

Venezuela. 

Ecuador.'._.... 

Guiana. 

Brazil. 

Peru. 

Bolivia. 

Chili. 

Argentine Confederation. 

Paraguay. 

Uruguay. 

Patagonia. 

Islands of South America. 

Europe... 

The British Empire. 

United Kingdom of Great Bri¬ 
tain and Ireland. 

Scotland... 

England. 

Wales. 

Ireland. 

Russian Empire. 

Russia in Europe. 

Lapland. 

Poland. 

Sweden.,. 

Norway. 

Denmark. 

Germany. 

Germanic Confederation. 

German States. 

Prussia. 

Holland. 

Belgium. 

France. 

Spain. 


PAGE 


Portugal. 315 

Switzerland. 317 

Italy. 320 

Austria. 325 

Ottoman Empire. 328 

Turkey in Europe. 329 

Greece. 333 

Islands of Europe. 336 

Asia. 341 

Asiatic Russia. 347 

Siberia. 347 

Turkey in Asia. 350 

Arabia. 356 

Persia. 358 

Afghanistan. 361 

Beloochistan. 362 

Turkistan. 363 

India. 364 

Hindoostan. 365 

Farther India. 370 

Chinese Empire. 372 

China, etc. 374 

Japan. 380 

Islands of Asia. 383 

Africa. 385 

Barbary States. 390 

Sahara. 395 

Region of the Nile. 398 

Egypt. 399 

Abyssinia. 405 

Kordofan and Darfur. 407 

Western Africa. 407 

Senegambia. 409 

Guinea. 411 

Southern Africa. 415 

Eastern Africa. 419 

Central Africa. 422 

Ethiopia. 425 

Islands of Africa..*.. 425 

Oceanica. 430 

Malaysia . 432 

Australasia. 435 

Polynesia. 439 

Antarctic Continent. 442 

Table of Populations of the 
Principal Cities in the 
World. 443 

What the People, etc. 447 

Explanation and Meaning of 
Geographical Words. 448 


PAGE 

209 

209 

209 

209 

209 

210 

212 

213 

213 

214 

214 

215 

216 

216 

217 

218 

223 

226 

228 

231 

232 

237 

238 

241 

243 

246 

247 

249 

250 

253 

260 

261 

261 

265 

270 

271 

275 

275 

279 

280 

281 

284 

287 

289 

290 

291 

298 

301 

304 

306 

311 







































































































NEW SCHOOL GEOGRAPHY. 


PRINCIPLES AND DEFINITIONS. 



VOLCANO, MOUNTAINS, HILLS, RIVER, 
WATERFALL, CITY, ETC. 

1. WnAT is Geography? 

Geography is a description 
of the surface of the earth. 

The word Geography is derived 
from two Greek words, ye, the earth, 
and tjrapho, I write. It means, therefore, a writing or discourse about the 
earth. 

2. Of what part of the earth does Geography treat ? 

Geography treats principally of the surface or outside part. It 
treats also of the atmosphere which surrounds the earth, and of 
the various winds and air-currents. 


7 












8 


PRINCIPLES AND DEFINITIONS. 


3. How is Geography usually divided ? 

Geography is usually divided into Physical, Astronomical, and 
Political Geography. 

4. What is Physical Geography ? 

Physical Geography is an account of the natural divisions of 
the earth’s surface, including a description of vegetable and ani¬ 
mal life, of climates and products, and also of the atmosphere, 
with its various winds and air-currents. 

5. What is Astronomical Geography ? 

Astronomical Geography is an account of the earth as a planet, 
and its relations to the sun and other heavenly bodies, with the 
effects produced by these relations. As these are illustrated by 
a knowledge of mathematics, this branch is also called Mathe¬ 
matical Geography. 

6. What is Political Geography ? 

Political Geography is an account of the different races of 
men, their languages, governments, and arts, and their condition 
as to civilization, learning, and religion. This is also called Civil 
Geography. 

V. When all these portions of Geography are considered in describing a 
country, what is the description called ? 

Descriptive Geography. 








NATURAL OR PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


DIVISIONS OF THE LAND. 



MOUTH OF A RIVER OPENING INTO THE 
OCEAN. IN THE RIVER, AT ITS MOUTH, 
ARE A PENINSULA AND SEVERAL ISLANDS. 
ON THE RIGHT IS A LIGHT-HOUSE ON HIGH 
GROUND ; BEYOND, IN THE DISTANCE, JUT¬ 
TING OUT INTO THE OCEAN, IS A CAPE. 
ON THE LEFT IS A CITY; A RAILROAD 
TRAIN IS ENTERING IT. 


8. Into what two portions is the surface of the earth divided ? 

Into land and water. 

Nearly one-quarter of the earth's surface is land; the remaining three- 
quarters is water. 

9. Name the grand divisions of the land. 

The grand divisions of the land are North America, South 
America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceauica. 


9 






















10 


NATURAL 'OR PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


10. What arc the principal forms and divisions of the land called ? 

The principal forms and divisions of the land are called Con¬ 
tinents, Islands, Peninsulas, Isthmuses, and Capes. 

These are the divisions -which would appear to a person raised to a con¬ 
siderable height above the surface of the earth and looking down upon it. 

11. What is a Continent? 

A Continent is the largest natural division of the land. The 
word is derived from a Latin term which means continuous, un 
broken. 

There are three Continents, the Eastern, the Western, and Australia. By 
some geographers Australia is called an Island, hut it is so large a portion of 
land that it may propurly be called a Continent. 

12. What is an Island? 

An Island is a portion of land surrounded by water. 

Great Britain, Madagascar, and Cuba, are islands. 



13. What is a 
Peninsula? 

A Peninsu¬ 
la is a portion 
of land nearly 
surroundedby 
water. 

The word is 
formed from two 
Latin words, 
jjene, almost, and 
insula, an island. 
Florida, Arabia, 
and Hindoostan 
are peninsulas. 

PENINSULA, ISTHMUS, AND ISLANDS. 

14. What is an Isthmus ? 

An Isthmus is a narrow strip of land which unites two conti¬ 
nents, or which unites a peninsula to the main land. 

The Isthmus of Panama unites North and South America. The Isthmus 
of Suez unites Africa and Asia. 

15. What is a Cape? 

A Cape is a point of land extending into the sea. 

Capo Horn lies at the extremity of South America; Capo of Good Hope 























DIVISIONS OF TIIE LAND. 11 

lies at the extremity of Africa. When a Cape is high and rugged, it is called 
a Headland, and sometimes a Promontory. Gibraltar is a promontory. 

16. What is a Coast or Shore? 

A Coast or Shore is that part of the land which borders upon 
the sea. 

We speak of the shores of the Atlantic or Pacific, the coast of England, Ac. 

17. Name the natural divisions of the land according to their elevation. 

The Natural divisions of the land according to their elevation 

are called Mountains, Hills, Valleys, and Plains. 

These are the divisions which appear to a person standing upon the surface 
of the earth. 

18. What is a Mountain? 

A Mountain is a great elevation on the surface of the earth. 
When many mountains are joined together, they form a Range or 
Chain of mountains. A single mountain is called a Peak. 

19. What is a 
Hill? 

A Hill is an 
elevation on the 
surface of the 
earth not so high 
as a mountain. 

20. What is a 
Volcano ? 

A Volcano is a 
mountain or hill 
which from an 
opening throws 
out smoke, fire, 
and melted lava. 

This opening, 
which is generally 
at the top. but some¬ 
times on tho sides, is 
called a crater. It 
gives vent to the in- 
nerfires oftheearth. 

A VOLCANO. 

21. From what level on tho earth’s surface do we compute the lioight of 

mountains? . 

From the level of the sea. 







12 


NATURAL OR PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


22. What is a Valley? 

A Valley is the low land situated between mountains or hills. 

All the land that is on both sides of a river, and that is drained by it and 
its branches, is called the valley of the river: as the valley of the Missis¬ 
sippi; the valley of the Amazon, &c. 

23. What is a Plain? 

A Plain is a tract of land almost or quite level. An elevated 
plain is called a Plateau or Table-Land. 

24. What names are given to plains in various parts of the world? 

Plains in North America are called Prairies; in South Ame¬ 
rica, Pampas and Llanos; in Asia, Steppes. These are for the 
most part without trees. The forest plains of the river Amazon 
are called Selvas. 

25. What is a Desert? 

A Desert is a barren plain, usually covered with sand; such as 
the Sahara or Great Desert of Africa, and the Desert of Arabia. 
These tracts of country have become deserts principally from 
want of rain. 



CARAVAN IN THE SAHARA. 


26. What is an Oasis ? 

An Oasis is a fertile spot in the midst of a desert. 

Sometimes these are large enough to contain towns and villages, but more 
frequently they are only of sufl&cient extent to form a resting-place for tra¬ 
vellers. They are rendered fertile by springs and small streams of water. 















DIVISIONS OF THE WATER. 


V6 


It is well to mention in this place certain special branches of 
Geography , with technical names, that the pupil may have a 
clear understanding of their relation to each other. 

27. To-pog'ra-phy is a description of any particular place or 
spot on the earth’s surface. 

28. Cos-mog'ra-phy is a description of the earth and heavens 
considered as a grand whole. 

29. Ge-oVo-gy is the science which treats of the structure of 
the earth, and of the changes which it has undergone. 



THE OCEAN. 


DIVISIONS OF THE WATER. 

30. Name tho principal natural divisions of the water. 

The principal natural divisions of the water are Oceans, Seas, 
Lakes, Gulfs, Rays, Straits, Sounds, Channels, and Rivers. 

2 



14 


NATURAL OR PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, 


31. What is the Ocean ? 

The Ocean is the great body of water on the earth’s surface. 

The water of the Ocean is salt. 

The surface of the Ocean is level; but the bottom is diversified, like the 
land, by mountains, valleys, and plains. Various attempts have been made 
to measure the depth of the Ocean. Some reports have placed the greatest 
depth at 9 miles, others at 7, and others at 5 miles; but it is now generally 
believed that no depth beyond 3 miles has been accurately ascertained. 

32. Into how many parts is the Ocean divided ? 

The Ocean is divided into five parts, each of which, for the 
sake of more exact description, is called an Ocean. 


33. Name the different Oceans. 

The Oceans are the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Northern or 
Arctic, and Southern or Antarctic. 




34. What is a Sea? 

A Sea is a body of salt 
water smaller than an ocean, 
and nearly surrounded by 
land; as the Mediterranean 
Sea, the Black Sea, the 
Baltic Sea. 

Sometimes the entire expanse 
of Ocean is called the Sea. 

35. What is an Archipelago ? 

An Archipelago is a sea 

in which there are nume¬ 
rous islands; as the Grecian 
Archipelago,the Caribbean 
Archipelago. 

The name was first applied to 
the iEgean Sea, which lies be¬ 
tween Greece and Asia Minor. 


36. What is a Lake ? 

A Lake is a body of water, 
usually smaller than a sea, 
and nearly or quite surrounded by land. 

Lakes are generally composed of fresh water, but sometimes of salt water. 
Salt Lakes when large are usually called Seas; as the Caspian Sea. 



A SEA. 












DIVISIONS OF THE WATER. 


15 



37. How is the 
water of Lakes sup¬ 
plied ? 

The water of 
Lakes is supplied 
by streams, and also by 
springs beneath the surface. 

Lakes usually empty their 
waters by river outlets into the 
sea. Tho lakes of Scotland aro 
called Lochs; as Loch Lomond. 

In Ireland, lakes and arms of 
the sea are called Loughs; as 
Lough Foyle. 

GREAT LAKES OF NORTH AMERICA. 


38. What is a Gulf or Bay ? 

A Gulf or Bay is a portion of the sea extending into the land. 

A small gulf is called an Inlet. Examples : tho Gulf of Mexico, the Bay 
of Biscay, Admiralty Inlet. A small portion of the sea where ships may lie 
in safety is called a Port, Harbor, or Haven. 

39. What is a Strait ? 

A Strait is a narrow passage of water connecting two larger 
portions. 

Behring {bee'ring) Strait connects the Pacific and Arctic Oceans. 

40. What is a Sound ? 

A Sound is a passage of water so shallow that its depth may 
be easily measured by a sounding-line. 

Examples: Long Island Sound„ Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds. 

41. What is a River? 

A River is a stream of fresh 

water flowing through the land. 

Rivers empty into the sea, into 
lakes, or into other rivers. Tho Ama¬ 
zon, in South America, is the largest 
river in the world. The Mississippi, 
with its great branch, tho Missouri, 
is the longest. 

SPRING AND BROOK. 

42. How are rivers formed ? 

Rivers are formed by the union of smaller streams. 





16 


NATURAL OR PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


43. What are these smaller streams called ? 

Smaller streams are called Brooks, Creeks, and Bivulets. 

These flow from springs into rivers. 

44. What is the Source of a river? 

The Source of a river is the place where its waters first appear. 

The source of a river is usually a spring or a lake. 

45. What is the Mouth of a river? 

The Mouth of a river is the place where it empties. 

The bed through which it flows is called the Channel, and the land 
bordering on the river on both sides forms the banks. When the right or left 
bank of a river is spoken of, the speaker or reader is supposed to be looking 
down the stream. 

46. What names are given to rivers or streams which empty into other 
rivers ? 

Bivers or streams which empty into other rivers are called 
Tributaries, Affluents, or Branches. 

The Missouri, the Illinois, the Ohio, and other rivers, are tributaries or 
affluents of the Mississippi. 

47. What is a Cataract ? 

A Cataract is the flow of a river over 
a precipice. This is also called a Fall, 
Waterfall, or Cascade. 

The Cataract of Niagara, formed by the Nia¬ 
gara River, is the most famous in the world. 
When a river passes by a rapid descent over 
rocks and obstructions, Rapids are formed. 

48. What is the Delta of a river? 

The land enclosed between the extreme 

mouths of a river where it empties into the 
sea. Deltas in general arc shaped some¬ 
what like the Greek letter Delta:—A 

49. Mention some famous Deltas. 

The Deltas of the Nile, Danube, Mis¬ 
sissippi, and Ganges, are famous Deltas. 

Most large rivers have deltas at their mouths. 
The surface of deltas is usually low and marshy, 
and is inundated at certain seasons. Such parts as 
can be cultivated are generally very fertile. 

FALLS OF NIAGARA. 



















ASTRONOMICAL OR MATHEMATICAL 
GEOGRAPHY. 


50. What is the Earth ? 

The Earth is the planet upon which we live. 


51. What is a 
Planet ? 

A Planet is a 
spherical body 
which is sus¬ 
pended in space 
and revolves a- 
round the sun, 
receiving light 
and heat from it. 

The sun is about 
ninety-five mil¬ 
lions of miles 
from the Earth, 
and more than 
a million times larger than the Earth. 



52. How many Planets are there ? 

There are eight principal planets, placed at different distances 
from the sun. 

The names of the planets in the order of their distance from the sun are, 
Mercury, Venus, the Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. 
There are also eighty-five asteroids, or smaller planets. New asteroids are 
constantly being discovered. 

53. How does tho Earth compare in size and position with the other prin¬ 
cipal planets? 

The Earth is fifth in point of size, and third in point of dis¬ 
tance from the sun. 


54. How does the Earth appear to us while standing on its surface? 

The Earth appears to us like a flat surface bounded by the 
horizon. The horizon is the circle around us where the Earth 
appears to meet the sky. 


2* 


17 



18 ASTRONOMICAL OR MATHEMATICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


55. How do we know that the Earth is spherical ? 

We know that the Earth is spherical by sailing around it, and 
by other circumstances. 

In sailing upon the ocean, the highest part of a ship is seen first as it comes 
towards us ; and it is only upon its nearer approach that the lower parts are 
seen. 

56. How many motions has the Earth ? 

The Earth has two motions: a motion on its own axis, and a 
motion around the sun. 

57. What is the axis of the Earth ? 

The axis of the Earth is a straight line 

which is supposed to pass through the 
centre, and upon which it revolves. 

The Earth moves round on its axis once in twenty- 
four hours, turning from west to east. This can be 
best illustrated by an artificial globe having for 
the axis a rod, upon which it revolves. 

58. What are the poles of the Earth ? 

The poles of the Earth are the ends of 

its axis. 


NORTH POLE. 

A 




DAY AND NIGHT. 


59. Is the Earth entirely spherical? 

It is not entirely spherical; it is flattened at the poles, forming 
an oblate spheroid. The diameter of the Earth is twenty-six 







ASTRONOMICAL AND MATHEMATICAL GEOGRAPHY. 19 


miles shorter from pole to pole than from side to side at the 
equator. 

60. What is produced by the motion of the Earth on its axis ? 

The motion of the Earth on its axis produces the change of 
Day and Night. 

61. What is the orbit of the Earth? 

The orbit of the Earth is the line or path in which the earth 
revolves round the sun. This revolution is performed in a year. 
The orbit of the earth is oval or elliptical in form: hence our 
planet is nearer to the sun in one part of its course than it is in 
another. 

62. What is produced by the revolution of the Earth round the sun ? 

The revolution of the Earth round the sun produces the changes 

of seasons, or Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter, 

63. What is the circumference of the Earth ? 

The circumference of the Earth is the 

distance around it. This distance is nearly 
25,000 miles. 

64. What is the diameter of the Earth? 

The diameter of the Earth is a straight 

line passing through the centre, from surface 
to surface. The length of the Earth’s 
diameter is nearly 8000 miles. 

The axis of the earth is the shortest of its diameters. It is about 7899 
miles in length. The longest diameter is that at tho equator, and is about 
7925 miles in length. 

65. What is the Zenith of a place? 

The Zenith of a place is that point in the sky immediately 
above the head of the observer. 

Tho opposite point in the sky, beneath his feet, is called the Nadir of the 
place. 






20 


IMAGINARY LINES USED ON GLOBES 


OF THE IMAGINARY LINES USED ON GLOBES 
AND MAPS OF THE EARTH. 

In order to point out conveniently the positions of places on 
the earth’s surface, we use either an artificial globe , or a plane 
surface, and draw upon it certain imaginary lines and circles. 
These have various technical names, which will now be described. 



66. What is a Great 

Circle ? 

A Great Circle is 
a circle formed on 
the earth’s surface 
by a plane passing 
through its centre. 

A great circle divides 
the sphere into two 
equal parts, or hemi¬ 
spheres. It is always equal to the circumference of the globe, or nearly 
25,000 miles round. 


67. What are all other circles called? 

All other circles are called Small Circles. 


The plane of a small circle does not pass through the centre of the earth. 


North Pole 



68. What is the Equator ? 

The Equator is a great circle ex¬ 
tending around the earth, at an equal 
distance from either pole. Every por¬ 
tion of it is about 6225 miles distant 
from the poles. 

69. What is the Ecliptic ? 

The Ecliptic is a great circle cutting 
the Equator at two opposite points and 
making an angle with it of about twenty- 
three degrees and a half. 


70. What does the Ecliptic represent? 

The Ecliptic represents the annual path of the earth round 
the sun. 


71. What are the Polar circles ? 

Polar circles are two small circles parallel to the Equator and 
lying near the poles. 






















AND MAPS OF THE EARTH. 21 

Tho North Polar Circle is called the Arctic Circle, and the South Polar 
the Antarctic. 

72. What arc the Tropics ? 

The Tropics are two small circles parallel to the Equator and 
near to it, one north and the other south of it. 

The northern is called the Tropic of Cancer, and the southern the Tropic 
of Capricorn. These are called tropics from the Greek word (repo, to turn, 
because when the sun reaches them he seems to turn back in his daily course 
towards the equator. 

73. Into what parts or portions is every circle divided ? 

Every circle is divided into 3G0 degrees. Every degree is 
composed of GO minutes, and every minute of GO seconds. 

74. What is tho length of a degree on a great circle? 

The length of a degree on a great circle is GO geographical 
miles, or GO} English miles. 

A geographical mile is the sixtieth part of a degree, or about 2025 yards 
in length; it is used at sea by navigators to measure distances in sailing. A 
statute or common mile is 1760 yards in extent; it is used to measure distances 
on land. 

75. What is Latitude? 

Latitude is distance north or 

south of the Equator. 

76. How is Latitude represented ? 

Latitude is represented by 
circles, called Parallels of Lati¬ 
tude, running from east to west. 

The Tropics and the Polar Circles 
are also Parallels of Latitude. 

77. IIow is Latitude counted? 

We begin to count Latitude 

at the Equator, and count by 
degrees, north and south, towards 
the Poles. The latitude of the 
Equator is 0, that of each Pole is 90°. 

By an examination of the figure we shall seo that tho distanco from the 
Equator to either Pole is 90°, so that if we add together tho four portions lying 
between the Equator and the Poles wo shall have 360°, or the whole circum¬ 
ference of tho globe. Only every tenth degreo is put down in the figuro. 

















22 


IMAGINARY LINES USED ON GLOBES 


78. What is North Latitude? 

North Latitude is distance Northward from the Equator. 

79. What is South Latitude ? 

South Latitude is distance Southward from the Equator. 

80. What is the distance from the Equator to either of the Tropics? 

The distance from the Equator to either of the Tropics is 23° 
28'. This is called the Latitude of the Tropic. 

81. What is the distance from the Poles to the Polar Circles ? 

The distance from the Poles to the Polar Circles is the same 
distance,—namely, 23° 28'. 

82. What is Longitude ? 

Longitude is distance east or west. 

. AVaB 9 of Loijfft 83. How is Longitude represented ? 

Longitude is represented by great 
circles passing through the Poles and 
across the Equator. 

84. What name is given to these circles ? 
They are called Meridians. This 
word is derived from the Latin meri¬ 
diem , noon; because all places in the 
same longitude have noon at the same 
time. 

85. How is Longitude measured ? 

Longitude is measured in degrees, east and west, from a given 
or assumed meridian, which is called the First Meridian. 

The Longitude of this meridian is represented thus: 0. 

86. What are some of the given or assumed meridians ? 

The English reckon Longitude from the meridian passing 
through the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, near London. 
Americans reckon it from the meridian passing through the 
National Observatory at Washington City. The French reckon 
it from the meridian of Paris. Other nations reckon from the 
meridian of their principal observatories. 

87. Where are the degrees of Longitude marked on the map of the Earth ? 

Degrees of Longitude are marked on the Equator. On Mit¬ 
chell’s Map, and on Globes, Longitude is usually reckoned from 
Greenwich. 





AND MAPS OF THE EARTH 


23 


88. How many degrees of Longitude are there in the circumference of the 
Earth ? 


There are 
360° in the 
circumfe¬ 



rence of the 
Earth. 


This will be 
explained by the 
accompanying 
figure. Suppose 
the globe to be 
cut in two at the 


Equator, and the upper hemisphere laid on B 

its flat side. A will indicate the place of the /< 5 k 
Pole, and C, 13, D, E that of the Equator. 

Only every tenth degree is placed upon the figure. 

89. Explain from tho figure how Longitude is counted. 

We begin with the meridian of Greenwich, which is assumed 
to be 0, and count West Longitude up to 180°, which will be 
directly opposite to Greenwich. We then go back tp 0 and 
count East Longitude up to 180°. 

The greatest Longitude which a place can have is 180° East or West. 

90. What effect has difference of Longitude upon time ? 

As the Earth revolves on its axis, the Sun seems to pass over 
the meridians in succession from east to west; thus the places 
east of us have sunrise before us, and their time is always in 
advance of ours. 

91. How many degrees of Longitude correspond to an hour of time? 

15°. The whole number of degrees is 360. The Earth re¬ 
volves round these once in 24 hours. Divide 360 by 24, and we 
have 15 as the number of degrees passed in one hour. 

When it is noon at Washington it is about nine o'clock in the morning at 
San Francisco, and more than five o’clock in tho afternoon in London. 

92. What are Antipodes ? 

Antipodes are places directly opposite to each other in point 
of Latitude and Longitude on the Earth’s surface; consequently 
their hours of day and night are also opposite. When it is 
twelve o’clock at noon with us, it is twelve at night at our anti¬ 
podes. 

Tho ancients supposed tho Earth to bo an extended plain, longest from 











24 IMAGINARY LINES USED ON GLOBES, MAPS, ETC. 

east to west, and so they called distances in that direction Longitude, which 
means length ; and distances north and south Latitude, or breadth. We have 
retained these names. 


THE ZONES. 



^93. What are Zones ? 

Zones are belts or divisions of 
the Earth’s surface, lying parallel 
to the Equator. The word zone is 
from the Greek, and means a belt 
or girdle. 

94. By what lines are the Zones formed? 
Zones are formed by the Tropics 

and the Polar Circles. 

95. How many Zones are there? 
There are five Zones : the Torrid 

Zone, the North and South Tem¬ 


perate Zones, and the North and South Frigid Zones. 


Torrid means hot or parched; frigid means cold or frozen. 

96. Where is the North Frigid Zone? 

The North Frigid Zone lies between the North Pole and the 
Arctic Circle. 


97. Where is the South Frigid Zone? 

The South Frigid Zone lies between the South Pole and the 
Antarctic Circle. 


98. Where is the North Temperate Zone? 

The North Temperate Zone lies between the Tropic of Cancer 
and the Arctic Circle. 


99. Where is the South Temperate Zone? 

The South Temperate Zone lies between the Tropic of Capri¬ 
corn and the Antarctic Circle. 


100. How broad is each Temperate Zone ? 

Each Temperate Zone is about 43°, or 2978 miles, broad. 

101. Where is the Torrid Zone? 

The Torrid Zone lies on both sides of the Equator, occupying 
the entire space between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic 
of Capricorn. 








THE ZONES. 


25 


102. How broad is tho Torrid Zone? 

The Torrid Zone is about 47°, or 3255 miles, broad. 


103. W lly Is it cold Suu s rays_____ ^Frig id Zoijy 

in tho Frigid Zones? suuWs_ 

Because, owing <*/ -r— \«. 

.to the curvature Sun . 8raj . s _*/ f 

of the earth, the 

which are vertical suu’.nys -- 

upon the equator, V?5irjn55B5S^ 

. 11 obliquely on s „., --w/ 

the Frigid Zones; sun's rays- 

and because, owing to the obliquity of the earth’s axis, during the 
winter, large portions of these Zones are not reached by the rays 
of the sun at all. _ 


104. What arc the seasons of the Frigid Zones? 

The seasons of the Frigid Zones are only two,—a long winter 
lasting during the greater part of the year, and a short summer 
lasting during the remaining portion. 


105. What is said of day and night in the Frigid Zones? 

At the Poles it is day during half the year -and night during 
the other half. The Sun in his course during the long day does 
not sink below the horizon; and during the long night he does 
not rise above it. 



On the Polar Circles the long^ 
est day is twenty-four hours. At 
the Poles it is six months. Be¬ 
tween the Polar Circles and the 
Poles the day varies in length 
from twenty-four hours to six 
months. 

106. What kinds of animals 
arc found in the Frigid Zones? 

The animals of the Frigid 
Zones arc those only which 
can bear a great degree of 
cold, such as the white or 
polar bear, the reindeer, the 
musk-ox, and others which 
nature has provided with coverings of thick and fine furs. There 
is also a hardy race of dogs, which are used to draw sleds. 


POLAR BEARS. 


3 











26 IMAGINARY LINES USED ON GLOBES, MAPS, ETC. 

107. What is said of the vegetation of the Frigid Zones? 

In the Frigid Zones there is very little vegetation of any kind. 
There are a few berries and trees of stunted growth in the parts 
bordering on the Temperate Zones. 

108. What is known of the inhabitants of the Frigid Zones? 

The inhabitants of the Frigid Zones are ignorant savage tribes, 
few in number, of dwarfish size and swarthy complexion. 

Many dangerous expeditions have been made to the North Frigid Zone. 
Sir John Franklin’s party was lost there. Numerous English expeditions 
have been made to discover his fate. From the United States, Lieutenant Do 
Haven, Dr. Kane, and Dr. Hayes, made voyages for the same purpose. 

109. Why is it hot in the Torrid Zone? 

It is hot in the Torrid Zone because the Sun is nearly vertical 
to all places in this zone, and his direct rays have great power, 
and because this Zone is reached by vertical rays of the Sun 
during all the year, in winter as well as summer. 

110. What is said of the days and nights in the Torrid Zone ? 

The days and nights in the Torrid Zone are sometimes exactly 
equal in length, and nearly equal at all times. At the Equator 
they are always exactly equal. 

Twice a year they are equal all over the globe, viz., on the 20th of March 
and the 23d of September. These periods are, therefore, called the Equi¬ 
noxes. 

111. When does the Sun rise and set in the Torrid Zone ? 

The Sun rises in the Tor¬ 
rid Zone at about six in the 
morning and sets about six 
in the evening. 

112. How many seasons are 
there in the Torrid Zone ? 

There are in the Torrid 
Zone two seasons : the Wet 
and the Dry. 

During the wet season it rains 
nearly every day; during the dry 
season little rain falls. 

113. What kinds of animals 
are found in the Torrid Zone? 

There are in the Torrid Zone many beasts of prey, such as the 



ELEPHANTS AND THE TIGER. 


THE ZONES. 27 

lion, tiger, and leopard; also, animals of enormous size and 
strength, as the elephant, rhinoceros, and hippopotamus. 

114. What is said of the reptiles of the Torrid Zone? 

The reptiles of the Torrid Zone are large and numerous, 
powerful and dangerous. Many of them are venomous. Among 
the serpents the largest are the boa constrictor and python. The 
crocodile and alligator also are found. 

115. What is said of the birds 
of the Torrid Zone ? 

The birds of the Torrid 
Zone are of great variety, 
of graceful forms, and 
beautiful plumage. The 
largest birds are the os¬ 
trich, cassowary, and emu: 
these do not fly, but run 
swiftly; the condor and 
lammergeyer wing their 
flight to the summits of 
the loftiest mountains. 

116. What is said of vege¬ 
tation in tho Torrid Zone ? 

The Torrid Zone is remarkable for the luxuriance of its vege¬ 
tation and the variety of its products. Luscious fruits abound, 
such as oranges, pineapples, bananas, and others called tropical 
fruits. Beautiful flowers of many kinds bloom in the tropics 
without culture. 

117. What is said of tho inhabitants of the Torrid Zone? 

The inhabitants of the Torrid Zone are generally dark in 
color, and indolent in habit both of body and mind. 

These effects are in a measure produced by tho intense heat, which renders 
exertion irksome. In some parts tho peoplo are much subject to fevers and 
other dangerous diseases. 

118. To what storms is the Torrid Zone subject? 

The Torrid Zone is subject to violent storms of wind called 
Hurricanes or Tornadoes. These are very destructive to vege¬ 
tation, to houses on land, and also to ships at sea. 
ilurrioancs aro particularly violent among tho West India Islands. In the 






28 IMAGINARY LINES USED ON GLOBES, MAPS, ETC. 

East they are called typhoons. They blow generally in a circle, and on this 
account are called whirlwinds* 

119. What is said of earthquakes in the Torrid Zone? 

In the Torrid Zone earthquakes are more frequent and vio¬ 
lent than in the other zones. Many flourishing cities have been 
destroyed by earthquakes. 



AN EARTHQUAKE. 


120. What is said of the inhabitants of the Temperate Zones ? 

The inhabitants of the Temperate Zones are generally stronger 
in body and more cultivated in mind than those of the other 
Zones. They are of fairer complexion, and have greater energy 
of character. In the Temperate Zones only, has the highest 
civilization been achieved. 

121. Why is it less warm in the Temperate Zones than in the Torrid Zone? 

It is less warm in the Temperate Zones than in the Torrid 

Zone because the Sun’s rays, falling in an oblique direction, 
are less powerful than when falling almost vertically, as they do 
in the Torrid Zone. The climate of the Temperate Zones is 
milder and more equable than that of the others. 

122. How many seasons are there in the Temperate Zones ? 

There are four seasons in the Temperate Zones: Spring, 
Summer, Autumn, and Winter. 




MAPS. 


29 


123. What is said of the animals of the Temperate Zones? 

In the Temperate Zones there are few wild beasts and venom¬ 
ous reptiles, as compared with those of the Torrid Zone. Useful 
animals abound, such as the horse, cow, deer, sheep, and many 
others. 

While the wild animals are smaller and less ferocious, the useful and 
domestic animals grow to a larger size and attain greater strength. It is 
to be noted, however, that the animals of the North Temperate Zone differ in 
many respects from those of the South Temperate. 

124. Mention some of the wild animals of the North Temperate Zone. 

Some of the wild animals of the North Temperate Zone are 

the bear, wolf, buffalo, elk, deer, and fox. 

N.B.—The consideration of the effects of the Sun’s rays upon animal and 
vegetable life belongs properly to Physical Geography, as the study of the 
Zones in regard to their form and position belongs to Astronomical Geography. 
It has been thought best, however, for the sake of unity, to treat tho whole 
subject under the latter head. 

Only a sufficient number of principles and definitions are given here to 
form an intelligent introduction to the general study of Geography. 



MAP.—MERCATOR’S PROJECTION. 


MAPS. 

125. What is a Map? 

A Map is a drawing which represents, on a plane or level sur- 
iace, a part or the whole of the Earth’s surface. 

3* 




80 IMAGINARY LINES USED ON GLOBES, MAPS, ETC. 


126. How arc Maps representing the whole of the Earth’s surface made ? 
Maps representing the whole of the Earth’s surface are made 
in two ways: by Mercator s Projection , and by two Hemispheres , 
the Eastern and Western. 


127. What is meant by Mercator’s Projection ? 

Mercator’s Projection is a rectangular map of the world, in 
which the meridians and the parallels of latitude are represented 
by straight lines. 

As the surface of the sphere is supposed to be rolled out on a plane, the 
parts most distant from the Equator are distorted, and appear too large com¬ 
pared with those near and upon it. 


128. How is the whole of the Earth’s surface 
represented by Hemispheres ? 

The whole of the Earth’s surface is 
represented by Hemispheres, by a map 
in which the Earth is supposed to be cut 
into halves, and these halves are supposed 
to be placed alongside of each other, with 
the flat side down. 

We may suppose the Earth to be cut into 
halves by a plane passing through its axis, as 
in the figure. The two hemi- 
sphei-es, A B and CD, are 
then supposed to be turned 
\ upon their flat sides. If upon 
these hemispheres thus 
placed we describe the divi- 
! sions of the land and water, 
the outlines of countries, 
and the more striking na¬ 
tural features of the Earth’s 
surface, we shall have a map of the world in hemispheres. Upon these are 
usually placed the meridians and parallels, the equator, the zones, and all the 
important circles and lines already mentioned. 



129. How are Maps of a part of the Earth’s surface made? 

Maps of a part of the Earth’s surface are made by taking 
only a portion of the Map of the whole Earth, and enlarging it, 
so that more minute details may be placed upon it. 

130. In what directions arc the top, bottom, and sides of the Map supposed 
to bo placed ? 

The top of a Map is usually towards the North Pole, the bottom 








MATS. 


31 


towards the South Pole, the right hand to the East, and the left 
hand to the West. The East is towards sunrise, and the West 
towards sunset. 

131. What names are {riven to these four directions. North, South, East, 
and West? 

North, South, East, and West are called the Cardinal Points 
of the compass. 

132. What is the Mariner’s 
Compass ? 

The Mariner’s Compass 
is an instrument consist¬ 
ing of a needle of magnet¬ 
ized iron turning freely 
over a card divided into 
thirty-two points. This 
is placed in a box, which 
is so arranged that the 
needle cannot lose its 
horizontal position. 

133. In what direction docs 
the needle always point? 

The needle always points 
towards the North. 

134. Does it point exactly to the North Pole? 

The needle doe3 not always point exactly to the North Pole; 
it varies slightly in different parts of the earth: this variation 
is called the Variation of the Compass. 

This property is said to have been first observed by Columbus, in his voyage 
to discover America, and caused him much surprise and alarm. The direction 
of the needle is called the Magnetic Meridian. 

135. What is a Chart? 

A Chart is a delineation of a part of the Earth’s surface repre¬ 
sented as if it were level. Charts include a consideration of the 
soundings at sea, and point out dangers to mariners,, by whom 
they are chiefly used. 

The various technical modes of representing the natural feature# of the 
Earth upon Maps are very simple, and will bo readily learned by the pupil. 

A River is represented by a crooked black line drawn from its 
source to its outlet. 

Lakes and Seas arc represented by close parallel lines following 
the outline of the shore or coast, and widening towards the centre. 













CIVIL OR POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


on 

OZi 

The Boundaries of Countries are usually represented by a dotted 
or broken line. 

Deserts and Sand-banks are represented by numerous dots, 
closer together on the edges than in the centre, and made to re¬ 
semble sand. 

Mountain Ranges are represented by lines which radiate from 
the summit or upper ridge on both sides : the steeper the descent 
the closer and darker are these lines. 

A City is represented by a small circle and dot. 

Capitals are usually represented by small stars. 


CIVIL OR POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


THE RACES OF MANKIND. 

The human family, now spread over the Earth in various 
races and nationalities, all sprang from the first created pair. 
The consideration of Man, as the highest order of animal life, 
belongs properly to Physical Geography, and in a more extended 
course would be so treated; but as the highest of created beings, 
capable of civilization, progressive in the arts and sciences, and 
creating the political divisions and forms of government, he con¬ 
stitutes the foundation of Civil or Political Geography. 

136. What are the causes of the diversities of race among men ? 

All the causes of the diversities of race among men are not 
known. Climate, food, modes of life, all have some effect in 
producing these diversities. 

137. In what do the various races differ ? 

The various races differ in color, form, feature, and mental 
capacity. Numerous varieties are thus formed. 

138. To how many races may they aU be reduced ? 

The races may be reduced to five in number: the Caucasian, 
or White race; the Mongolian, or Yellow race; the African, 
or Black race; the Malay, or Brown race; and the American, 
or Red race. 




THE RACES OF MANKIND 


33 


139. What may be paid of the Caucasian race? 

The Caucasian race are of fair complexion, with finely-formed 
features and well-developed forms. 


They are the most im¬ 
proved and intelligent of 
the human family, and 
seem capable of attaining 
the highest degree of pro¬ 
gress and civilization. The 
nations of Europe, Western 
Asia, Northern Africa,with 
the white inhabitants of 
America, are included in 
this division of mankind. 
This is also called tho Eu- 





fHE CAUCASIAN RACE. 


ropean raco. 

140. What is known of 
the Mongolian or Mongol 
raco ? 

The Mongolian race 
ttre of a yellow com¬ 
plexion, with the eyes 
set obliquely in the face. 

In disposition thoy arc 
patient and in¬ 
dustrious, but 
limited in genius 
and slow in pro¬ 
gress. Tho Chi¬ 
nese and Japan¬ 
ese comprise a 
large portion of 
the Mongol race. 

Tho Finns and 
Laplanders of 
Europe,also, aro 
said to belong 
to it. 

141. What is 
said of the Black 
or Negro raco ? 

The Black 

race are of a THE MO ngol race. 

dark COni- ( A Chinese Laborer.) 

plexion, varying from a coffee color to deep coal-black 


i'HE BLACK RACL. 
(A Negro Chief.) 
















34 


CIVIL AND POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 



Generally, they are strong and active in body, but indolent in habit, and 
have not attained to any high degree of civilization. They inhabit nearly 
all the districts of Africa south of the Great Desert, and are found also in 
America, whither they were carried as slaves. A peculiar race, called Papuan 
negroes, are found in the United States of Colombia and Australia. 


143. What is said of the American or Red race ? 

The American or Red race are of a copper color, with straight 
black hair, tall and well formed, but revengeful and warlike. 

They are fast disappearing before the progress of white civilization. This 
race comprises the Indians of both North and South America. The Esqui¬ 
maux, who inhabit the shores of the Arctic Ocean, have sometimes been 
confounded with them, but are supposed to be of .the Mongol race. 


N.B.— A consideration of the races of men according to these 
divisions is called Ethnography. This forms a science apart 
from Geography , and, to he thoroughly understood, it must he 
studied separately. 


142. What is 
said of the Ma¬ 
lay race ? 

The Malay 
race are of a 
dark brown 
complexion, 
fierce and re¬ 
vengeful in 
disposition, 
and have 
made but lit¬ 
tle progress in 
civilization. 

This race is 
found in most of 
the islands of 
the Pacific 0- 
ccan near the 
coast of Africa, 
There are many 


THE MALAY RACE. 
(A New Zealand Chief.) 


THE RED RACE. 
(An Indian Chief.) 


and in the peninsula of Malacca south of Farther India, 
pirates among the Malays. 




THE STATES OF SOCIETY. 


35 


THE STATES OF SOCIETY. 


144. Into what 
two classes may man¬ 
kind be dividod, in 
respect to their social 
condition? 

Mankind, in 
respect to their 
social condition, 
maybe divided in¬ 
to two great class¬ 
es, viz., Savage 
and Civilized. 



The first named 
includes all those 
tribes who have no 
permanent dwelling, 
but roam from place 
to place with their 
flocks and herds, or 
in quest of game. 

Civilized nations 

build cities and towns, have durable and comfortable houses, and enjoy tho 
blessings conferred by order, industry, morality, and religion. 


THE ENLIGHTENED STATE. 


145. How may these two classes be still further divided ? 

These two classes may be still further divided into five: the 
Savage, Barbarous, Half-Civilized, Civilized, and Enlightened. 


146. What is meant by Savage life ? 

Savage life is the lowest stage of existence among wandering 
tribes. It is but little removed from the life of brutes. Such 
is the condition of some of the “natives of Central Africa, of 
New Guinea, and Australia. 


147. How do savages live ? 

Savages roam over a great extent of country, and live by 
hunting and fishing, and sometimes upon insects, roots, and 
wild fruits. They make war upon each other, and are very 
cruel and superstitious. Some savages are cannibals and eat 

human flesh. 










86 CIVIL OR POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

148. Do savages dwell in houses ? 

Savages sometimes live in huts of the rudest kind; and a col¬ 
lection of these 
constitutes a vil¬ 
lage, where they 
live for a short 
time, until their 
nomadic or wan¬ 
dering instinct 
prompts them to 
leave it. They pay 
little or no atten¬ 
tion to agricul¬ 
ture, and are usu¬ 
ally naked, or 
have very scanty 
clothing. 

149. What is said 
of their knowledge? 

Savages are al¬ 
most entirely ig¬ 
norant : they have 
no knowledge of 
letters, no system of laws or morals, and no division of land 

150. How are savages governed? 

Savages are governed by chiefs, who are usually absolute and 
cruel despots. 

151. What is said of the Barbarous state? 

The barbarous state is the second stage, not quite so low as, 
the savage. The Tartars, the Arabs, and some North African 
tribes are in this state. 

152. IIow do Barbarians live ? 

Barbarians live in tents or rude houses, which they move 
about from place to place in search of pasture for their flocks 
and herds. 

153. What do Barbarians eat? 

Barbarians eat the flesh of their flocks and herds and drink 
their milk. They also pay some attention to agriculture, and 
raise various kinds of grain for food. 



THE SAVAGE STATE. 












THE STATES OF SOCIETY. 


37 


154. What is said of the knowledge of Barbarians ? 




Barbarians have written languages, but few among them learn 
to read and write. 

Their progress 
even in the sim¬ 
plest mechanic 
arts is limited. 


156. What is said 
of the Half-Civilized 
state ? 

rhe Half-Civ¬ 
ilized state is a 
decided improve¬ 
ment, in life and 
manners, upon 
the barbarous 
state. 


157. What are the 
signs of this im¬ 
provement? 

In the half-ci¬ 
vilized state agri¬ 
culture is con¬ 
ducted with some 
degree of skill, 


155. How are Bar¬ 
barians governed ? 

Barbarians are 
governed by pa¬ 
triarchal chiefs, 
called Sheiks, 
Khans, and other 
names. These ru¬ 
lers are occasion¬ 
ally very despotic, 
and their laws are 
severe and arbi¬ 
trary. The Tar¬ 
tars, Arabs, and 
some of the Afri¬ 
can tribes are of 


THE BARBAROUS STATE. 


THE HALF-CIVILIZED STATE. 

4 







38 


CIVIL OR POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


the useful arts are practised and improved, cities and towns are 
built and adorned, and a considerable advance is made in learning 
and literature. 

IIalf-civilize<l nations, however, are jealous of strangers, and treat their 
women as slaves. China, Japan, Turkey, and Persia are the principal coun¬ 
tries of this class. 

158. What is meant by civilized and enlightened nations? 

Civilized and enlightened nations are those which have made 
the greatest progress in morals, justice, and refinement, among 
whom the arts are constantly being improved and the sciences 
are diligently cultivated. 

159. What great interests are systematically conducted by civilized and 
enlightened nations ? 

Civilized and enlightened nations systematically conduct the 
great interests of agriculture, mechanical industry, and the fine 
arts. 

In this way comforts and luxuries are provided, and the bulk of the people 
are rendered contented and prosperous. The best examples of enlightened 
nations are the United States, England, France, and Germany. 

160. Are all such nations equally civilized? 

All enlightened nations are not equally civilized. The de¬ 
grees are various. 

In Russia and in some parts of Germany the people are oppressed and 
ignorant, while the nobles live in luxury. In the United States the people 
are educated and free, all power is limited by law, and those who live vir¬ 
tuously may live happily. * 

There are many grades of condition in each of the classes just men¬ 
tioned. Some nations are more savage than others; some barbarous nations 
approach the half-civilized state •, and among those which are called enlight¬ 
ened, some are much more so than others. The division which has been stated 
is exact enough for practical purposes. 


POLITICAL DIVISIONS 


39 


POLITICAL DIVISIONS. 




ALEXANDER II. 


161. How is 
the Earth divi¬ 
ded politically? 

The Earth 
is divided po¬ 
litically into 
countries. 


162. How are 
countries divi¬ 
ded and classi¬ 
fied? 

Countries 
are divided 
into States, 
and are classi¬ 
fied, accord¬ 
ing to their 
forms of gov¬ 
ernment, into Em¬ 
pires, Kingdoms, Du¬ 
chies, Principalities, 
and Republics. 


FRANCIS JOSEPH. NAPOLEON III. 


163. What is an Em¬ 
pire ? 

An Empire is a 
State governed by a 
single individual, 
called an emperor. 

Russia, Austria, and 
France are empires. 

164. What is a King¬ 
dom ? 

A Kingdom is a 
State governed by a 
king or queen. 

Great Britain, Prus¬ 
sia, and Spain are king¬ 
doms. 


QUEEN VICTORIA. 







40 


CIVIL OR POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY, 


165. What is a Duchy? 

A Duchy is a small State governed by a duke. Sometimes 
such a State is called a Grand Duchy, and the ruler a grand 
duke. 

166. What is a Principality? 

A Principality is a small State governed by a prince. 

There are many principalities in Germany. 

167. How are States subdivided for the purposes of government? 

States are subdivided into provinces, counties, shires, &c. 

The larger divisions are usually called provinces, and the smaller, counties 
or shires. Prance is divided into departments; England, into shires or coun¬ 
ties. Most of the United States are divided into counties. Counties are 
sometimes divided into townships. The divisions of South Carolina are called 
districts, and those of Louisiana, parishes. 

168. Where do the inhabitants of a country live most closely together ? 

and villages. 

169. What is 
a City ? 

A City is a 
place where a 
great number 
of people re¬ 
side close to¬ 
gether, with 
houses ar¬ 
ranged in 
streets and 
squares. 

New Y r ork, 
Philadelphia, 
Boston, Balti¬ 
more, and New 
Orleans, aro 
large cities in tlio 
United States. 
The site of a city 
is usually chosen 

with reference to its commercial facilities. The chie' officer of a city is gene¬ 
rally called a mayor. 

170. What is a Town ? 

A Town is a collection of houses less than a city, and with a 


They live most closely together in cities, towns, 



CITY OF NF.W ORLEANS. 
















FORMS OF GOVERNMENT. 41 

smaller number of people. Towns have not the same municipal 
rights and privileges as cities. 

Many towns are incorporated as cities after they have become large and 
important. The most populous and important commercial towns in a country 
are called the chief towns. 

171. What is a Capital city 01 town? 

A Capital city or town is the seat of government of a 
country or State. 

Washington is the capital of the United States. The seat of government 
of a county is called a County Town. 

172. What is a Village? 

A Village is a collection of houses and inhabitants less than 
a town. 

173. What is meant by the population of a country ? 

By the population of a country is meant the entire number 
of its inhabitants. 

The population of a country is one of the most important things to be 
mentioned in describing it. 

174. How is the extent or area of a country stated? 

The extent or area of a country is always stated in square miles. 

A square mile is a square, each side of which is a mile in extent. A tract 
of land ten miles long and the same in width would contain one hundred 
square miles. 


FORMS OF GOVERNMENT. 

175. What is meant by Form of Government? 

By Form of Government is meant the system of laws by which 
a society or nation is governed. 

176. How many kinds of Government are there? 

There are many kinds of Government; but they may be all 
included under three heads: Monarchy, Aristocracy, and Demo¬ 
cracy. 

177. What is a Monarchy? 

A Monarchy is a government in which the supreme power is 
in the hands of one person, called a monarch. 



42 


CIVIL OR POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


Sometimes the monarch is a king or queen, as in England j sometimes an 
emperor, as in Austria, Russia, and France. In some countries, as in France, 
a woman cannot rule. Monarchs inhabit magnificent buildings, called Palaces. 


178. How many kinds of Monarchy are there? 

There are two kinds of Monarchy: Limited and Absolute. 


179. What is a Limited Monarchy ? 

A Limited Monarchy is a government in which, by an esta¬ 
blished system of laws, called the constitution, the whole power 
does not lie in the hands of the monarch, but is shared by a 
parliament or legislature. 

Great Britain, Holland, and Spain are limited monarchies. 


ISO. What is an Absolute Monarchy ? 



THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 


An Abso¬ 
lute Monar¬ 
chy is a gov¬ 
ernment in 
which the 
monarch ex¬ 
ercises the 
whole pow¬ 
er ; the lives 
and proper¬ 
ty of every 
subject may 
be disposed 
of as he plea¬ 
ses. W hen 
an absolute 
monarch ex¬ 
ercises his 
powerharsh- 
ly, lie is call¬ 
ed a despot. 

Russia,Tur¬ 
key, and China 
are absolut-. 
monarchies. 


lol. What is an Aristocracy? 

An Aristocracy is a government in which the supreme power 
is in the hands of a privileged few. 


































VARIETIES IN LANGUAGE. 


43 


182. What is a Democracy? 

A Democracy is a government in which the supreme power is 
in the hands of the people. 

183. What is a Republic ? 

A Republic is a State governed by rulers chosen by the people. 

The United States form a Republic. 

184. Who is the chief magistrate of the United States? 

The chief magistrate of the United States is called the Pre¬ 
sident. He is elected to serve for four years, and has very ex¬ 
tensive powers. 

185. In whom is the law-making power of the United States vested? 

The law-making power of the United States is vested in a 

national legislature’, called the Congress. 

186. How is the Congress of tho United States composed? 

The Congress of the United States is composed of two houses: 
the Senate, and the House of Representatives. 

The members of the Senate are elected for six years, and those of the House 
of Representatives for two years. The number of Representatives is appor¬ 
tioned among the States according to their population; but every Stato has 
two Senators. 

187. What is a Confederation? 

A Confederation is a union of several independent States for 
mutual aid and defence and the attainment of greater prosperity. 

Switzerland is a Confederation. The several States of Switzerland are 
called Cantons. 


VARIETIES IN LANGUAGE. 

Man alone, of all terrestrial beings, has the power to express 
his thoughts in articulate words. This power is called language. 
The languages of nations constitute a great distinction between 
them, and, by presenting a barrier to their familiar intercourse 
with each other, serve to maintain that distinction permanently 
in their manners and customs, governments and laws. 

188. How many languages arc there in tho world? 

There are about 80 principal languages, and more than 3500 
dialects. 



44 


CIVIL OR POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


189. In what manner were languages multiplied ? 

We are told in the Bible that God confounded the speech of 
those who built the Tower of Babel to defy Him, and they beg^n 
to talk different languages. This is called in history the con¬ 
fusion of tongues. 

190. What is meant by a dialect ? 

A dialect is a diversity in the form of a language, or a mode 
of speaking or writing it peculiar to a province. 

About 1600 dialects belong to the languages of the American Indians. 
Almost every language has various dialects. 

191. What is said of the English language ? 

The English language is spoken in England and its colonies, 
and in the United States. It is more widely spread than any 
other language, and is spoken by a greater number of Christian 
people. 

192. What may be said of the Chinese language ? 

The Chinese language is spoken by a greater number of people 
than any other. More than 300 millions of the population of 
the globe use this language. 

193. What is said of the French language ? 

The French language is spoken in France and its colonies, 
and is used more generally by well-educated persons than any 
other in Europe. 

194. Of the Spanish ? 

The Spanish language is spoken in Spain and its colonies, in 
Mexico, and in the greater portion of South America. Next to 
the English, it is the most widely-spread language. 


SYSTEMS OF RELIGION. 


45 


SYSTEMS OF RELIGION. 


Among all 
races of men, 
and in all ages, 
the untaught 
mind of man 
has sought af¬ 
ter the Deity, 
who has been 
considered 
the Giver of 
life, the Dis¬ 
penser of hap¬ 
piness,and the 
Judge of hu¬ 
man actions. 
This has 
given rise to 
numerous sys¬ 
tems of reli¬ 
gion, as differ¬ 
ent as the va¬ 
rieties of man. 

195. How 
many kinds of 
religion arc 



lnore : A CHRISTIAN CHURCH—INTERIOR OF ST. PAUL'S, LONDON. 

There arc 

four principal kinds of religion: Christian, Jewish, Moham¬ 
medan, and Pagan. 


196. In what does Christianity consist? 

Christianity consists in believing that Jesus Christ is the Son 
of God and the Saviour of the world. 


197. Whore arc the doctrines of Christianity found ? 

The doctrines of Christianity are found in the Scriptures of 
the Old and New Testaments. 


198. Into what three Churches are Christians divided? 

Romau Catholic, Protestant, and Greek churches. 


















MOHAMMEDAN MOSQUE—ST. SOPHIA, CONSTANTINOPLE. 

He stated his creed in these words: “ There is one God, and Mohammed 
is his prophet.” The places of worship of the Mohammedans are called 
Mosques, and their scriptures are contained in a hook called the Koran. 


46 CIVIL AND POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 


The Pope of Rome is the head of the Roman Catholic Church, 
and the Patriarch of Constantinople that of the Greek Church. 


199. How are Protestants divided ? 

Protestants are divided into various denominations, of which 
the principal are the Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, Episco¬ 
palians, Lutherans, and Friends. 


200. Who are the Jews? 

The Jews are a people descended from Abraham, who believe 
in the Old Testament scriptures but reject the New, and still 
expect the coming of a Saviour. They exist as a distinct people, 
and are scattered among other nations over all parts of the world: 
they number about four millions. 


201. Who are the Mohammedans ? 

The Mohammedans are those who believe in Mohammed, a 
false prophet, who lived about 600 years after Christ. 







SYSTEMS OF RELIGION. 


47 


202. In what parts of tho world does Mohammedanism prevail? 
Mohammedanism prevails in Turkey, in many parts of Asia, 
in the Barbary States, and in some other parts of Africa. 



203. Who are Pa¬ 
gans or Heathens? 

Pagans are 
those who believe 
in false gods and 
worship idols. 

Idols are either 
living creatures, as 
beasts, birds, and 
reptiles, or images 
made of wood, stone, 
or metals, or the sun 
and other heavenly 
bodies. 


201. Mention 
some of tho prin¬ 
cipal Pagans, and 
state their modo of 
worship. 

The Brahmins 
and Buddhists of 
India and China 
worship the cow 
and other ani¬ 
mals. Tho^eople 
of Thibet wor¬ 
ship a man called 

the Grand Lama. Some of the Persians worship fire, and its 
supposed source, the sun. Some of the South Sea islanders 
practise human sacrifice, and some not only sacrifice, but eat, 


A PAGAN TEMPLE. 


human beings. 


Those who eat human beings are called can¬ 


nibals. 


With this series of definitions and principles proper!// acquired , 
the pupil will he prepared to apply them in the description of the 
various portions of the Earth. 










QUESTIONS ON MAP NO. 1, WESTERN HEMISPHERE. 

1. What two Grand Divisions in the Western Hemisphere? Ans. 
North America and South America. A part of Oceanica is also in 
the Western Hemisphere: where is it? Ans. West of North and 
South America, in the Pacific Ocean. What ocean lies east of North 
and South America? South? West? North? 

2. Where is Baffin Bay ? Hudson Bay ? Gulf of Mexico ? Carib¬ 
bean Sea? Kamtschatka ( kamt-shat'Tcah ) Sea? 

3. Where is Iceland? Newfoundland? Where the Bermudas? 
West Indies? Terra del Fuego (ter'rali-del-foo-ee'go') ? South 
Shetland Islands ? Victoria Land ? Juan Fernandez ? Galapagos 
Islands? Aleutian Archipelago ( ar-ke-peV a-go )? Sandwich Islands ? 
Central Archipelago? New Zealand? 

4. Through what does the Equator pass in the Western Hemi¬ 
sphere ? Ans. Atlantic Ocean, South America, Oceanica, and Pacific 
Ocean. The Tropic of Cancer ? Arctic Circle ? Tropic of Capricorn ? 
Antarctic Circle? Where is the North Pole? South Pole? On a 
polar projection of the Map of the Western Hemisphere, where is the 
North Pole? See small map. 

Which are the highest mountains in America ? Ans. The Andes 
( marked 1 , 2, 3). Which is the highest in North America? (4.) How 
high? Which is the largest river in North America? (1.) Which 
in South America? (3.) 


QUESTIONS ON MAP NO. 2, EASTERN HEMISPHERE. 

1. There are three Grand Divisions, and part of a fourth, in the 
Eastern Hemisphere: name them. Ans. Europe, Asia, Africa, and 
part of Oceanica. Where is Europe ? Asia ? Africa ? Oceanica ? 

2. What ocean west of Europe and Africa? North of Europe and 
Asia ? South of Asia ? In what ocean is Oceanica ? 

3. Where is the Sea of Japan? Yellow Sea? China Sea? Bay of 
Bengal ( ben-gawV) ? Arabian Sea ? Red Sea ? Mozambique (mo- 
zam-beek / ) Channel? Gulf of Guinea? Mediterranean Sea? Bay 
of Biscay? North Sea? Black Sea? 

48 



THE EARTH. 


49 


4. Where are the Japan Islands? Borneo? Sumatra? Papua? 
Australia? Madagascar? British Isles? Nova Zembla? Spitz- 
bergen (spitz-berg'en) ? Where is the Antarctic Continent ? 

5. Through what does the Equator pass in the-Eastern Hemi¬ 
sphere ? Ans. The Pacific Ocean , Oceanica, Indian Ocean , Africa , 
and Atlantic Ocean. Through what does the Tropic of Cancer pass? 
Tropic of Capricorn ? Arctic Circle ? Antarctic Circle ? Where is 
the North Pole ? South Pole ? 

On a Polar projection of a map of the Eastern Hemisphere, where 
is the South Pole (see small map) ? What are the highest mountains 
in the world? Ans. Himalaya (him-aul'i-ah). Name the highest 
peak of the Himalaya. Ans. Mt. Everest. Which is the longest 
river in the Eastern Hemisphere ? How long is it ? Where is it ? 


THE EARTH. 


1. The Earth, on which we live, is a planet, or moving star. In 
early ages, when mankind were rude and ignorant, it was supposed 
to be an extensive flat surface, surrounded by the sea and wholly 
immovable ; but it has since been found to be a great globular body, 
which revolves round the sun. 

2. It is also called the World, and the Globe, and is a vast ball, 
not quite round, but an oblate spheroid,—that is, flattened slightly 
at the poles. 

3. A practical demonstration of the roundness of the earth is fur¬ 
nished by circumnavigating or sailing entirely round it. This was 
first effected by an early navigator, named Magellan. In passing 
round South America, he sailed between Patagonia and the island 
of Terra del Fuego; and that channel is called, after him, the Straits 
of Magellan. 


1. What is the earth ? What was it formerly supposed to be ? What since 
found to be ? 2. What also oalled ? What shape ? 3. How do we know it to 

be round ? Who first sailed around it ? What channel did he pass through ? 

5 







STRAITS OF MAGELLAN. 


4. The entire surface of the globe contains about 200,000,000 square 
miles, and is diversified by land and water. The land comprises 
about 50,000,000 square miles. 

5. The population of the earth is estimated at about 1000 millions, 
—of whom 450 millions are of the Mongolian race, 350 millions of 
the Caucasian or white race, 100 millions of the African race, 70 
millions of the Malay, and the remainder of the American Indian or 
Red race. These are all descended from the three sons of Noah, of 
whom Shem is supposed to have settled in Western Asia, Ham in 
Africa, and Japhet in Northwestern Asia or Europe. 

6. For convenience of representation on maps, the earth is sup¬ 
posed to be divided into two equal parts by a plane passing through 
its axis. One of these parts is called the Western and the other the 
Eastern Hemisphere. 

4. "VVhat is the extent of the surface of the globe? How diversified? How 
much land? 5. What is the population? How many of each race? From 
whom descended ? 6. On maps, how do we divide the earth ? What are these 
parts called ? 


























THE EARTH. 


51 



WESTERN HEMISPHERE. EASTERN HEMISPHERE. 


i. Sometimes the Earth is supposed to be divided by a-plane pass¬ 
ing through the equator; and thus we have the Northern and South¬ 
ern Hemispheres, the north and south poles being placed in the 
centre of each respectively. 



8. The Western Hemisphere comprises North and South Ame¬ 
rica, with numerous islands, island groups, and large portions of the 
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The islands in the Pacific are collect¬ 
ively called Oceanica. America was discovered by Christopher Co- 


7. H<»w else do wo divide it ? What then culled ? 8. What does the West¬ 
ern Hemisphere comprise? What are the Pacific Islands called? Who dis- 







52 


THE EARTH. 


lumbus, in 1492: in consequence of the lateness of its discovery, it 
is called the New World. The Eastern Hemisphere is called the Old 
World. North and South America are known as the Western Con¬ 
tinent. 

9. North America ranges from the Arctic Ocean and Polar Sea to 
within eight degrees of the equator, and presents almost every variety 
of climate, soil, and product. It has vast natural resources. It was 
originally inhabited by Indians, but is now nearly all peopled by 
Europeans and their descendants, before whom the red men are fast 
disappearing. The principal country of North America is the 
United States. 

10. South America, also originally peopled by the Red race, 
was conquered and is now principally settled by Spaniards and 
Portuguese and their descendants. It ranges from eight degrees 
north of the equator to fifty degrees south, and, like North America, 
has vast natural resources. 

11. Oceanica, lying partly in the Western and partly in the East¬ 
ern Hemisphere, contains many islands and groups of islands. The 
Sandwich and Society Islands and New Zealand are the principal in 
the Western Hemisphere. 

12. The Eastern Hemisphere comprises Europe, Asia, Africa, 
and Australia, with the Indian Ocean and portions of the Atlantic 
and Pacific, containing also numerous island groups. 

13. Europe is the smallest, but the most densely peopled, grand 
division. It has played an important part in ancient and modern 
history. Its inhabitants, and the numerous peoples in various parts 
of the Earth who have sprung from them, are the most refined and 
intelligent of the human race. Christianity is the prevailing reli¬ 
gion in all parts of Europe except Turkey. 

14. Asia, the largest grand division, was the cradle of the human 
race. Here was Paradise, in which man was placed after being 
created in the likeness of Grod; and here, after the flood, the descendants 
of Noah went forth to people the earth. Asia contains about half 


covered America, and when ? What is the Eastern Hemisphere called ? North 
and South America are known as what? 9. Describe North America. What 
of the inhabitants? Principal country? 10. Describe South America. Its 
extent. 11. Describe Oceanica. 12. What does the Eastern Hemisphere 
comprise? 13. What of Europe? Of its inhabitants ? Of religion? 14. What 
of Asia? What of the population? Of religion? 



NORTH AMERICA. 


53 


the population of the world. Nearly all the inhabitants are either 
Mohammedans or Pagans; and many of them are in a half-civilized 
or barbarous condition. 

15. Africa is a peninsula of irregular form, separated from Europe 
and Asia by the Mediterranean and Red Seas, and extending south¬ 
ward into the Atlantic Ocean. In the northern part is a vast desert 
territory. For a long time the interior and south were unknown; 
but various travellers have lately explored portions of these regions. 
The people of Africa are generally more savage and ignorant than 
those of the other grand divisions. 

16. Australia, in Oceanica, was formerly called New Holland. It 
was first settled by the English in 1788. Recent discoveries of gold 
have increased its population in the south and east. The interior 
has been but little known; but of late several explorers have tra¬ 
velled over it. 

17. Various portions of land which lie around the south pole are 
supposed to form an Antarctic continent. These are cold, desolate 
regions, without inhabitants, and are but little known. The largest 
of these portions was discovered by Captain Wilkes, of the United 
States Navy. 


QUESTIONS ON MAP NO. 3, NORTH AMERICA. 

1. What Ocean on the North? On the East? Gulf and Ocean on 
the South? Ocean West? Bound North America. Between what 
parallels of latitude does North America lie ? Ans. North America 
lies principally between 71° 24' and 8° North Latitude. Between 
what meridians of longitude? Ans. North America lies principally 
between 57° and 157° West Longitude from Greenwich. 

2. Divisions.—Where is Russian America? British America? 
The following are provinces of British America: where are they ? 
New Britain? British Columbia? Canada (East and West)? La¬ 
brador? New Brunswick? Nova Scotia? Newfoundland? Where 
is the United States? Mexico? Central America? West Indies? 

15. What of Africa? Whnt in the northern part? Describe it further, 
lfi. What of Australia? When first settled? Describe Australia further. 
17. What of the Antarctic Continent? What of Captain Wilkes? 

5* 




54 QUESTIONS ON MAP OF 

Through what countries does the Arctic Circle pass ? The Tropic 
of Cancer ? 

3. Seas, Bays, &c. —Where is the Open Polar Sea? Kane Sea? 
Lancaster Sound ? Baffin Bay ? Davis Strait ? Hudson Bay ? 
James Bay? Frobisher Strait? Hudson Strait? Straits of Belleisle 
( bell-ile ') ? Gulf of St. Lawrence ? Grand Bank ? Bay of Fundy ? 
Gulf Stream ? Gulf of Mexico ? Caribbean Sea ? Gulf of Tehuante¬ 
pec ( tay-wahn-tay-pek')? Gulf of California? Behring Strait? Polar 
Sea ? Melville Sound ? Gulf of Boothia ? 

4. Capes.—Where is North Cape? Closterbay? Farewell? St. 
Lewis ? St. Johns ? Sable (at the east) ? Cod ? Sable (at the 
south) ? Gracias a Dios (grah'se-ahs-ah-de'oce) ? St. Lucas ? Morro 
Hermoso? Mendocino? Orford? Flattery? Icy Cape? Demar¬ 
cation Pt. ? 

5. Islands.—Where is Iceland? Greenland? Prince William 
Land? Newfoundland? Cuba? Hayti ( hay'te)’t Jamaica? Van¬ 
couver Island? Queen Charlotte Island? Sitka Island? Kodiak 
Island ? The following islands are in a group: Baring, King Wil¬ 
liam, North Somerset, North Georgian. Where are they? On which 
of these islands did Sir John Franklin die? Where is Southampton 
Island ? 

6. Mountains.—Where are the Alleghany Mountains? Aris. 
The Alleghany Mountains are in the eastern part of the United States, 
and nearly parallel with the Atlantic coast. Where are the Rocky 
Mountains ? The Sierra Madre ( se-er'rah-mah'dray ) ? The .Sierra 
Nevada (nay-vah'dab)** Cascade Range? Peak Mountains? Beaver 
Mountains? Where is Mount St. Elias? 

7. Lakes.—Where is Great Bear Lake? Great Slave? Athabasca? 
Winnipeg? Superior? Michigan? Huron? Erie? Ontario? Ni¬ 
caragua? 

8. Rivers.—Describe the Mackenzie River. Ans. The Mackenzie 
River rises near the Peak Mountains , in New Britain, flows east, and 
then north into the Polar Sea. Describe the Athabasca — Churchill — 
Nelson—St. Lawrence—Mississippi—Rio Grande (re'o-grahn'day) — 
Colorado—Columbia—Simpson—Kwich / pak. 

9. Greenland and Iceland.—What mountains in Greenland? 
Where is Scoresby’s Land? Washington Land? Where is Disco 


NORTH AMERICA 


55 


Island? Where is Lievely ? Godthaab? Upernavik? What island 
east of Greenland? What mountain in Iceland? What towns ? 

To whom do Greenland .and Iceland belong ? Ans. To Denmark. 

10. Russian America.—Bound Russian America. What moun-* 
tains in Russian America ? What rivers ? Wfcat Point north ? What 
Point at east boundary ? . Straits west ? What Grand Divisions do 
these Straits separate? Where is Norton’s Sound? Where is *' 
Alaska? What is Alaska? Ans. A peninsula. To whom does 
Russian America belong ? Ans. To Russia .’ 

11. British America.—British America includes all the terri¬ 
tory north of the United States, except Russian America, Greenland, 
and Iceland. Bound British America. What province in the centre 
and north? Ans. New Britain. Bound New Britain. What great 
body of water in New Britain? What bay in the soyth part of Hud¬ 
son Bay? Where is Selkirk Settlement? Fort Garry? Fort York? m 
What province in the southwest ? Bound British Columbia. What 
rivers in British Columbia ? What mountains? What islands off 

the coast? What town in the pouth? Where is the Gold Region? 
What town on Vancouver Island? Where is the Gylf of Georgia? 
Where are the Straits of Fuca? 

12. Where is Labrador? What towns in Labrador on th£ eftast? 
Where is Newfoundland ? What separates Newfoundland from 
Labrador? Bound Canada East—Canada West—New Brunswick 
—Nova Scotia. 

Further questions on Canada and other British Provinces, the United 
States, Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies, will be found 
immediately preceding the pages where these several countries are 
treated of. 



NORTH AMERICA, 


NORTH AMERICA. 



1. Position and Extent.— 

North America is the largest and 
most northern grand division of 
the western continent. Itextends 
from the Arctic Ocean southward 
a distance of nearly 5000 miles, 
and to within eight degrees of the 
equator. It is united to South America by the Isthmus of Panama. 
Area, about 8,000,000 square miles. 

Although the western hemisphere was discovered by Columbus, it 
receives its name from Amerigo Vespucci (ah-may-re'go ves-pooVchee ), 
a later navigator, who coasted along its shores. 

2. Natural Features.—North America presents a great variety 


North America.— 1. What is said of North America? Extent, <fcc. ? Area? 
What of its name ? 2. What of its natural features ? 











NORTH AMERICA. 57 

of climate and surface. It contains the longest mountain ranges, 
the longest rivers, and the largest lakes in the world. 

3. Mountains .—In the western part a vast range of moun¬ 
tains extends from the shores of the Arctic Ocean on the north, 
through the whole length of North America. In British America 
and the United States it is known as the Rocky Mountains; in 
Mexico and Central America, as the Sierra Madre. Mount Brown 
in British America, Fremont’s, Long’s, and Pike’s Peaks in the United 
States, Po-po-cat-e-petF and Orizaba in Mexico, are the highest points 
in this range. 

Mount St. Elias, on the boundary between Russian America and 
British America, is 17,900 feet high, and is the highest land in 
North America. 

4. In the eastern part near the Atlantic coast is the great Alle- 
ghanian Chain, which bears different names in different localities. 
The most extensive section of it is known as the Alleghany Mountains. 

5. Coast Line. —North America has 24,000 miles of coast line 
on the Atlantic and Pacific. The largest indentations are Hudson 
Bay, Baffin Bay, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Gulf of Mexico, and 
the Gulf of California. 

6. Lakes. —The principal lakes are Lakes Superior, Huron, Erie, 
and Ontario, which lie on the boundary between the United States 
and Canada; Lake Michigan, belonging to the same chain, but wholly 
within the United States; Great Bear, Great Slave, Winnipeg, and 
Athabasca Lakes, in British America; and Lake Nicaragua, in Cen¬ 
tral America. 

7. Rivers. —The principal rivers are Mackenzie, in British Ame¬ 
rica ; St. Lawrence, in Canada; Mississippi and its great arm, the 
Missouri, with their numerous tributaries, and Columbia, in the 
United States; Colorado and Rio Grande, in both the United States 
and Mexico. 

The Mississippi, including the Missouri, is navigable for nearly 
4000 miles from its mouth, and the,.area of its great basin is esti¬ 
mated at 1,350,000 square miles. Their united length is 4350 miles. 

8. Gulf Stream. —The Gulf Stream is a remarkable current of 

3. Mountains: what vast range? IIow known in different parts? High¬ 
est points? What of Mount St. Elias? 4. What other chain? 5. Coast line? 

Lakes in the United States? Other lakes? 7. Rivers? What of the Mis¬ 
sissippi and Missouri? 8. Of the Gulf Stream? How does it affect the cli- 




58 


NORTH AMERICA. 


warm water which, issuing from the Gulf of Mexico, passes between 
Florida and the Bahama Islands northward along the coast to the 
banks of Newfoundland; thence it crosses the ocean to the short s of 
Northwestern Europe, the climate of which it so modifies in winter 
that the sea there remains unfrozen even beyond the Arctic Circle. 

This stream or ocean river flows for a distance of 6500 miles, with 
a width of from 60 to 400 miles. It is of a deep blue color, with a 
warmth of from 70° to 80° even in winter. Its velocity is from 2 to 
5 miles per hour. 



OTTAWA. 


9. Divisions.—North America comprises Russian America, 
Danish America, British America, the United States, Mexico, Cen¬ 
tral America, and the West Indies. 

10. Products.—The products of North America will be treated of 
in describing the different countries. 

11. Population.—The entire population, composed of numerous 
varieties of whites, Indians, and negroes, representing many races 

mate of Northwestern Europe? What of its length, breadth, color, and ve¬ 
locity? 9. What divisions? 10. Products? 11. Population? 







GREENLAND. 


59 


and nationalities, is estimated at 49,477,000. The aborigines, or 
American Indians, are constantly decreasing before the march of 
civilization. 

12. Capitals.—Washington is the capital of the United States, 
Ottawa of Canada, Mexico of Mexico. In the United States, New 
York, Philadelphia, Boston, and Baltimore are splendid cities. New 
Orleans is the great depot of the Gulf of Mexico, and San Francisco 
of California. Cincinnati, Chicago, and St. Louis are remarkable 
for their rapid growth and prosperity. In Canada are the import¬ 
ant cities of Montreal and Quebec. 

13. Governments.—The British Colonies are under Governors or 
Lieutenant-Governors appointed by the Crown. The United States^ 
Central America, and Ilayti are republics. Mexico is an empire. 

14. Religion.—In British America the Church of England is 
established by law ; but nearly all forms of Christianity are found. 
In Canada East the Roman Catholics are the most numerous. The 
United States has no established religion, but is chiefly Protestant; 
there are, however, many Roman Catholics. In Mexico and Central 
America the Roman Catholic Church is established by law. 

Note.— Many details , omitted in this general sketch, are supplied 
in describing the various countries of North America. 


DANISH AMERICA. 


1 . 

land. 


Danish America comprises Greenland and the island of Icc- 
GREENLAND. 


2. Greenland is separated from the continent on the west by 
Baffin Bay. It is not known whether it is a peninsula or an island, 
or an archipelago of islands frozen together. Area estimated at 
750,000 square miles. 

3. The climate is excessively cold in winter; the thermometer 


12 Capitals? Cities in the United States? In Canada? 13. "What of the 
government? 14. Of religion in British America? In the United States and 

M< DAN°isn America.— 1. What doos it comprise? Greenland.— 2. What of 
Greenland? Area? 3. Soil? Climate? 




60 


DANISH AMERICA. 


sometimes indicates a temperature of 68° below zero. The soil is 
sterile and almost without vegetation. The settlements are chiefly 
on the west coast; the interior is unexplored. 

4. The sea freezes in January and the entire shore is fringed with 
glaciers, and yet in July the thermometer often stands as high as 
84°, and mosquitos abound. Fish, whalebone, train-oil, and the 
skins of the seal, fox, and deer, are exported to Denmark. 

5. Population.—The population consists of Esquimaux; their 
pursuits are chiefly seal-hunting and fishing. The whole number 
of Europeans is only about 250. The population is estimated at 
10 , 000 . 

6. Government.—The Danish Government exercises but little 
sway. Christianity has been introduced by the Moravian mission¬ 
aries. 

7. Chief Towns.—Godthaab ( gocVtahb ), in South Greenland, is 
the oldest Moravian mission station, having been founded in 1723. 
Lievely, or Goodhope, on Disco Island, is the most important fishing 
station. Upernavik is the most northern town in the world. 


ICELAND. 

8. Iceland, though connected historically with Europe, and treated 
of generally as a part of that continent, yet belongs geographically 
to North America, being distant at the nearest point only 160 miles 
from Greenland. It was discovered and colonized in the ninth cen¬ 
tury by adventurers from Norway, but has been subject to Denmark 
since 1380. 

9. It is a large island, lying 140 miles east of Greenland. It is 
abo.ut 200 miles long, by an equal breadth. Area, 40,000 square 
miles. It is cold and barren, and is noted for its volcanic action, 
and the social condition of its people. 

10. In the midst of glaciers and snow fields are volcanoes and 
boiling springs. Mount Hecla is an active volcano, 5100 feet high. 
The Geysers or boiling springs, near it, throw up from time to time 
jets of boiling water from 70 to 200 feet high. 

__ 

4. What of the sea? Exports? 5. Who are the people? How many? 
6. Government? 7. Chief towns ? What of Upernavik ? Iceland—8. What 
is saidbf Iceland? By whom colonized? 9. What further? Area? Climate 

&o.? 10. What of glaciers? Mt. Hecla? Geysers? 



ICELAND. 61 

11. There are 
no trees in Ice¬ 
land. Drift¬ 
wood which is 
brought to the 
shores by the 
polar currents 
affords scanty 
supplies of fuel 
and timber. The 
horse and other 
domestic cattle, 
with the rein¬ 
deer, were intro¬ 
duced during 
the last century. 
The reindeer are 
numerous, and 
run wild. The 
exports are sul¬ 
phur, hides, salt¬ 
ed fish, and Ice¬ 
land moss. 

12. During 
every clear win¬ 
ter night the au¬ 
rora borealis is seen in the greatest splendor throughout Iceland. 

13. Population. —The population is about 64,000. Great attention 
is given to education. In the last hundred years no other country 
can show so large a proportion of literary men as Iceland. Do¬ 
mestic education is universal, and almost every one can read and 
write. 

Reikiavik ( ri'ke-a-vik ), on the southwest coast, is the chief town, 
and contains 1500 inhabitants. Reikiavik means steam-town: it is 
so called from the Geysers or boilin^springs in the vicinity. 

11. What is said of trees and drift-wood? What of the horse, <tc.? Of 
reindeer? Exports? 12. What is seen every clear night? 13. Population? 

What of education ? Chief town ? 



GEYSERS. 











62 


BRITISH AMERICA. 


RUSSIAN AMERICA. 

1. Position and Extent. —Russian America lies in the extreme 
northwest part of North America, and is separated from Asia by 
Behring Strait. Area, 450,000 square miles. 

2. Natural Features.— The Beaver Mountains range through 
Russian America; Mount St. Elias is the loftiest peak. Little i& 
known of the interior, except that it is wild and barren. The few 
settlements are on the shores of the Pacific. 

3. The coast is remarkably indented, and has several bays and 
sounds. The principal river is the Kwichpak, tributaries of w T hich 
flow from the Rocky Mountains. 

4. The peninsula of Alaska is the farthest west point of North 
America. At its extremity is a long, curving chain of islands, called 
the Aleutian ( ah-lu'shan) Islands. 

5. Products.— •Fish and fur-bearing animals are abundant. The 
exports are the skins and furs of seals, foxes, and other animals. 
Grain is cultivated at the south in small quantities. The soil is 
sterile, and the climate severe. 

6. Population and Chief Settlements.— The population, which 
is estimated at 24,000, is composed of Indians and Esquimaux, and 
a few Russian traders from Siberia. There are some trading-posts, 
but no towns, except New Archangel, on Sitka Island: it has a popu¬ 
lation of 1500. 

7. Government. —Though the country belongs to Russia, not 
much actual government is exercised. The whites are fur-traders. 
The other inhabitants are ignorant and stupid savages. 


BRITISH AMERICA. 

1. British America comprises all the northern part of North 
America, except Russian and Danish America, down to the United 


RUSS14N America.— 1. What is the position of Russian America? Area? 
2. Mountains? What of the interior? 3. What of the coast? Principal 
river? 4. What peninsula? What islands? 5. Products? Soil? 6. Popu¬ 
lation ? Trading-posts? 7 . Government? British America.— 1. What does 
it comprise? Area? 




NEW BRITAIN. 63 

States, and includes more than a third of the North American con¬ 
tinent. Area, 2,817,000 square miles. Population, 3,459,000. 

2. British America includes New Britain, Canada, New Bruns¬ 
wick, Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island, Prince Edward Island, 
Newfoundland and Labrador, British Columbia and Vancouver Island. 

3. In the western part, about 350 to 500 miles from the Pacific, 
the Rocky Mountains range from north to south. The surface is gene¬ 
rally flat, and covered, except on the prairies and in the Arctic re¬ 
gions, with thick forests, traversed by large rivers, and containing 
numerous lakes and swamps. 

4. In the southern part, various grains and vegetables are pro¬ 
duced, but in the inclement north the people are chiefly occupied in 
hunting for furs. 

NEW BRITAIN. 

1. Position and Extent.—New Britain, formerly called Hudson 
Bay Company’s Territory, and sometimes Rupert Land, is an im¬ 
mense region, equal to nearly half of Europe. It extends from the 
United States and Canada to the Arctic Ocean, and from Russian 
America and British Columbia to Labrador. 

2. Natural Features. —The Rocky Mountains range through the 
western part of New Britain. It is a diversified country, con¬ 
taining prairies and forests, with fine rivers and lakes, and numerous 
swamps. Hudson Bay is a great inland sea, connected by Hudson 
Strait with the Atlantic Ocean. The southern portion of it is called 
James Bay. The principal lakes are Great Bear, Great Slave, Atha¬ 
basca, and Winnipeg. The largest rivers are Mackenzie, Atha¬ 
basca, Severn, Nelson, and Churchill. 

3. The winters are long and severe. The cold is excessive, often 
reaching 68° below zero. North of 70° latitude, the earth is covered 
with perpetual ice and snow. Here the small, delicate Snow Plant , 
red in color, is seen in perfection. The principal fur-bearing ani¬ 
mals are the beaver, marten, sable, wolf, bear, and muskrat. 

4. Settlements and Population. —York Factory, a considerable 
depot, is on the western shore of Hudson Bay. Selkirk settlement, 

2. Whnt does British America include? 3. Mountains? Snrfaco ? 4. Pro¬ 
ducts? Nf.w Britain. —1. Where is it? 2. Mountains ? Surfaco? What of 
Hudson Bay? James Bay? Lakes? Rivers? 3. What of the winters? Whnt 
north of 70° ? What beautiful plant? Animals? 4. What settlements? 



64 


BRITISH AMERICA. 


the largest in the territory, is situated south of Lake Winnipeg. 
Fort Garry is its principal trading-post. The population of New 
Britain consists of roving tribes of Indians and Esquimaux, the 
latter occupying the shores of the Arctic Ocean. 

5. Government.—The whole territory is ruled by British law, 
under the Governor-General of British America. It was long 
under the control of the Hudson Bay Company, which had the 
monopoly of the fur trade, but it was opened to the trade of the 
world in 1860. 


QUESTIONS ON MAP NO. 4, CANADA AND NEW 
BRUNSWICK. 

Canada.—What country south of Canada ? Which of the United 
States border on Canada? What four lakes south and west? Map 
No. 3. Bound Canada. Between what parallels of latitude? Ans. 
Canada lies principally between 43° and 53° North Latitude. Between 
what meridians of longitude ? Ans. Canada lies principally between 
64° and 90° West Longitude. Map. No. 4. What two divisions has 
Canada? How are they separated? 

Gulfs and Bays. —Where is the Gulf of St. Lawrence ? Chaleur 
(shah-loor') Bay? Georgian Bay? North Channel? Where is 
Farther Point? Cape Roziere ( ro'zeer)'! Gasp6 ( gas-pay' ) Bay? 
Gibraltar Pt. ? Nottawasaga ( not-ta-wa-saw'gah ) Bay ? Matchedasli 
[match'e-dash) Bay? 

Mountains.— What mountains in the northeast? What moun¬ 
tains from Vermont extend into Canada? 

Islands.— Where is Anticosti Island ? Montreal Island ? Am¬ 
herst Island ? The Thousand Isles ? Long Point Island ? Sisters 
Islands? Pelee Island? Grand Manitoulin (man-e-too'lin) Island? 
Drummond Island ? 

Lakes. — Where is Lake St. John? Manouan (man-oo-an')? Kempt? 
Grand? St. Peter? Nepissing [nep'is-sing) ? Simcoe? Ontario? 
Erie? St.Clair? Huron?* 

Rivers.— What great river in Canada ? Describe the St. Lawrence. 
Saguenay. St. Maurice. Richelieu. Ottawa. Trent. Niagara. Grand. 


What of the population ? 5. Government ? What of the Hudson Bay Company? 




CANADA. 65 

Thames. Detroit. St. Clair. Severn. Where are the Falls of 
Niagara ( ni-ag'a-rah ) ? Of Montmorenci ( mont-mo-ren'se ) ? 

Towns.—What and where is the capital? Where is Quebec? 
Three Rivers? Montreal? Kingston? Toronto? Hamilton? Lon¬ 
don ? Windsor ? Goderich ? Collingwood ? 

New Brunswick.—Bound New Brunswick. What large bay 
north? What other bay north? East? What strait east? What 
bay south? Southwest? What gulf northeast ? Where is Shippegan 
Island? Prince Edward Island? Grand Menan Island? Where 
is Grand Lake? Where is Restigouche (res-tee-goo-shay') River? 
Nipisiguit ( nip'is-se-gwit) ? Miramichi ( mir-a-me-shee') ? Describe 
the St. John River. St. Croix ( Jcroi ). What and where is the capital? 
Where is St. John? Woodstock? Chatham? Dorchester? Kingston? 
St. Andrews? 

CANADA. 



NEW PARLIAMENT BUIL[J|N(iS AT OTTAWA. 

1. Position and Extent.— Canada, the most important of the 
British Possessions in North America, lies south of New Britain 




Canada. —1 . Where is it? Northern boundary ? Area? 

6 * 







G6 


BRITISH AMERICA 



and north of the United States : it extends from east to west about 
1250 miles. Its northern boundary is the high land separating the 
rivers that flow into Canada from those that flow into Hudson Bay. 
Area, 350,000 square miles. 

2. Natural Features.— Mountains .—The Green and Notre 
Dame Mountains, in the east, are the principal. The surface is 
generally undulating. 

3. Rivers.— 

The principal 
rivers are the 
St. Lawrence, 
which is the out¬ 
let of the great 
lakes, the Otta¬ 
wa, Saguenay, 
St. Maurice, Ri¬ 
chelieu, Trent, 
Thames, and 
Niagara. Nia¬ 
gara Falls, on 
the river Nia¬ 
gara, is the most 
magnificent ca¬ 
taract in the 
world: the 

whole body of 
the river falls 
precipitously 
160 feet. The 
river at the 
Falls is divided 
by Goat Island 

SAGUENAY Rl VER. . J 

into two por¬ 
tions. That on the Canada side (known as the Horse-Shoe Fall) is 
nearly 2000 feet wide. That on the United States side, known as the 
American Falls, is 1000 feet wide. 

4. The Falls of Montmorenci, 7 miles below Quebec, are very 


2. Mountains? Surface? 3. Rivers? What is said of Niagara Falls? 
4. Falls of Montmorenci? Saguenay River? 









7. Products.—The chief products are the various kinds of grains, 
with timber, furs, iron, copper, and petroleum. Timber and lumber 
are largely exported. 

5. Lftkes? Total length? Area? 6. Climate? 7. Products? 


CANADA. 67 

beautiful, and are much visited by travellers. The water falls a 
distance of 250 feet. The Saguenay River exhibits in the last 60 
miles of its course the most sublime river scenery in the world. 
The banks vary from 500 to 1500 feet in height, and are not only 
often perpendicular, but sometimes absolutely overhang the deep, 
dark river below. 

5. Lakes.—Lakes Superior, Huron, Erie, and Ontario are on the 
southern and western boundary. Their total length is 1150 miles, 
and they cover an area of 80,000 square miles, not including Lake 
Michigan, which is of the same chain but is wholly in the United 
States. There are numerous smaller lakes. 

6. Climate.—In Canada the winters are long; but the climate is 
milder in the west than in the east. For about five months in the 
year the navigation of the St. Lawrence is closed by ice. 


VICTORIA TUBULAR BRIDGE, MONTREAL. 









68 


BRITISH AMERICA. 


8. Divisions. —Canada is divided by the Ottawa River into Ca¬ 
nada East and Canada West. 

9. Railroads. —There are numerous railroads, with an aggregate 
length of more than 2000 miles. The two principal ones are the 
Grand Trunk and the Great Western. The Grand Trunk line extends 
1092 miles, and includes the Victoria Tubular Bridge at Montreal, 
nearly two miles long. The Suspension Bridge, over Niagara River, 
on the Great Western Railway, is a wonderful structure. 

10. Ocean Steamers. —A line of ocean steamships is established, 
running to England arid Ireland, from Montreal and Quebec in sum¬ 
mer, and from Portland, Maine, in winter. 

11. Chief Towns. —Ottawa, on Ottawa River, is the capital; it 
has an extensive trade in lumber. New and elegant Parliament 
buildings have just been erected. A handsome suspension bridge 
spans the river. 

12. Quebec is situated on the north bank of the St. Lawrence, 
and consists of an upper and a lower town. It has considerable 
commerce. Adjoining the upper town is the citadel, which is so 
strong by nature and art that the city has been called the Gibral¬ 
tar of America. It is noted for the victory of General Wolfe over 
Montcalm, in 1759, which secured the whole of Canada to Great 
Britain. 

13. Montreal, the largest city in British America, lies on an island 
of the same name in the St. Lawrence. It is connected with the 
main land by the Victoria Tubular Bridge. It is the chief com¬ 
mercial city of Canada, and at the head of ship-navigation. The 
cathedral of Montreal is one of the largest on the American con¬ 
tinent. 

14. Toronto, the third city in Canada, is situated on a beautiful 
bay on Lake Ontario. It has a large lake trade and extensive 
railroad facilities. The public buildings are numerous, and some 
of them splendid specimens of architecture: among these may be 
mentioned Trinity College University, University of Toronto, and 
St. Lawrence Hall. The city is noted for its commerce, its rapid 
growth, and for its educational institutions. 

8. Divisions? 9. Railroads? Bridges? 10. Ocean steamers? 11. Capital? 
New Parliament buildings? 12. Quebec? Citadel? For what noted? 13. 
Montreal? What of its commerce ? Cathedral? 14. Toronto? Public build¬ 
ings? For what noted? Other towns? How connected, &c. 



CANADA. 


69 



Hamilton, Kingston, London, Three Rivers, and Sherbrooke are 
important and flourishing towns. All of these cities and towns are 


CITADEL, QUEBEC. 

connected by railroads, and are making rapid progress in wealth 
and population. 

15. Population.—The population of Canada is 2,507,000, com¬ 
posed in the east of descendants of the French; in the west, chiefly 
of British and Americans. On the borders of the great lakes are 
Indians, mostly of the Chippewa and Iroquois tribes. 

10. Education.—Throughout Canada there are abundant, facili¬ 
ties for education in the public schools, and in the colleges and uni¬ 
versities, which are numerous. 

17. Government.—Formerly the provinces of Upper and Lower 
Canada had each its own Legislature and Governor, but in 1840 
they were united under a single Governor, appointed by the Crown, 
who is also Governor-General of all British America. He has an 
Executive Council, .appointed by himself. 

15. Population ? 16. Education? 17. Government? What, of the Execu¬ 

tive Council? Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly ? What are these 
bodies called ? 























70 


BRITISH AMERICA 


There are also a Legislative Council, elected by the people, in 
which the Executive Council have seats, and a Legislative Assem¬ 
bly, consisting of 130 members, elected every four years by the 
people, 65 of whom are from Canada East, and 65 from Canada West. 
These united bodies are called the Provincial Parliament. 

18. Religion.—The prevailing form of worship in Canada East is 
Roman Catholic, nearly all the French and many of the British 
inhabitants belonging to that Church. The Church of England is, 
however, established by law: most of its members are found in 
Canada West. 



NEW UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, TORONTO. 


19. The Magdalen Islands, a group lying near the centre of 
the Gulf of St. Lawrence, formerly belonged to Newfoundland, but 
are now under the Government of Canada. 

20. Anticosti Island, at the mouth of the St. Lawrence, is an 
important fishing-station, though having but few inhabitants. It 
has several lighthouses and depots to aid shipwrecked mariners, 
and belongs to Canada. 


18. What is said of the religion ? 19. Magdalen Islands ? 20. Anticosti Island ? 

















NEW BRUNSWICK. 


71 


NEW BRUNSWICK. 

1. Position and Extent.— New Brunswick lies on the Gulf of 
St. Lawrence and the Bay of Fundy, and south of Canada East. 
Area, 27,700 square miles. 

2. Natural Features. —The surface is diversified with hill and 
dale, with a few picturesque lakes, and many rivers. The coast is 
deeply indented with bays, of which the Bay of Fundy is the largest. 
It is noted for its high tides: at high water the tide at the head of 
the bay rises 70 feet, and so rapidly that it is sometimes difficult to 
escape from it. 

The principal rivers are St. John and St. Croix. The forests aro 
extensive, and the soil along the river-valleys is fertile. The 
climate is subject to great extremes of cold and heat, but is less 
severe than that of Canada East. 

3. Products. —The chief products are agricultural. The fisheries 
are important. Coal, iron, lead, granite, and marble are abun¬ 
dant. 

4'. Chief Towns. —Fredericton, the capital, is on the river St. 
John, 84 miles from its mouth. It is well laid out, and has many 
fine buildings. St. John, at the mouth of the river St. John, is the 
chief commercial city of New Brunswick. The harbor is free from 
ice in winter; the tide rises from 30 to 40 feet. 

5. Education. —There are many academies and grammar schools, 
and a university: also numerous elementary schools, and a normal 
school, supported by the Legislature. 

6. Population. —The population, numbering 252,000, is composed 
of Acadians, who are descendants of the first French settlers, Ame¬ 
ricans, English, and Irish, and a few Indians and negroes. The 
French are chiefly in the northern part. 

7. Government.— The Government is vested in a Lieutenant’ 
Governor, appointed by the Crown. He is assisted by an Executive 
Council, appointed by himself, and also by a Legislative Council, in 
which the Executive Council have seats, and a Legislative Assembly, 
both elected by the people. 

New Brunswick.— 1. Where is it? Area? 2. Surface? Bay of Fundy? 
For what noted? Rivers? Soil? Climate? 3. Products? 4. Capital ? St. 
John? f». Education? 6. Population? 7. Government? 





72 


BRITISH AMERICA. 


Until the year 1783, New Brunswick was united with Nova Scotia 
under one Governor. 



ST. JOHN, NEW BRUNSWICK. 


8. Religion. —The Church of England is established by law: 
there are many Roman Catholics. 


QUESTIONS ON MAP NO. 5, NOVA SCOTIA, CAPE 
BRETON ISLAND, AND PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. 

Nova Scotia.— Bound Nova Scotia. (See Map of North America 
No. 2, for further surroundings of Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Island, 
and Prince Edward Island.) What bay northwest? What strait 
north? What ocean south? What island north? Northeast? What 
passage between Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island? Where is 
Chedabucto Bay ? Cape Canso ? Cape Sable ? St. Mary's Bay ? 
Mines Channel? Mines Basin? What mountains? What two 


8. Religion ? 




NOVA SCOTIA. 


73 


rivers near the centre ? What and where is the capital ? Where 
isPictou? Truro? Windsor? Liverpool? 

Cape Breton Island.— Bound Cape Breton Island. In what 
direction is Cape Breton from Nova Scotia? Where is Sydney? 
Ruins of Louisburg? 

Prince Edward Island. —Bound Prince Edward Island. What 
bay south ? What strait south ? Gulf north ? What cape north ? 
East? Southeast? What and where is the capital? Where is 
Georgetown ? 


NOVA SCOTIA. 

1. Position and Extent.—N ova Scotia is almost an island, 
extending three hundred miles from northeast to southwest. It is 
connected with New Brunswick by an isthmus only 16 miles wide, 
and is separated from it in the rest of its extent by the Bay of Fundy. 

2. At its northeastern extremity is the smaller island of Cape 
Breton. It is a province under the Government of Nova Scotia. Area 
of Nova Scotia and Cape Breton together, 21,800 square miles. 

3. Natural Features. —In Nova Scotia the land rises from the 
coast, forming in the centre extensive table lands. The harbors are 
good, but navigation is impeded by the dense fogs which frequently 
occur. 

4. Products. —Grains and garden vegetables are produced. Lum¬ 
ber and coal are exported in large quantities. Coal is obtained in 
abundance. Iron and gypsum are found ; also small quantities of 
gold. The fisheries afford a lucrative traffic. 

5. Population. —The population numbers 331,000, and consists 
of English, Scotch, Irish, Germans, and Swiss, with a few of French 
descent. 

G. Chief Towns. —Halifax, the capital and largest city, is on the 
southern coast. It has an excellent harbor, a fine dock-yard, and a 
military hospital. A railroad connecting it with Quebec is in pro¬ 
gress. It is one of the principal stations of the British navy on the 
American coast. 

Pictou, Lunenburg, and Truro are important towns. 

Nova Scotia.—1. Whore is it? 2. Y/hat of Cape Breton Island? Area? 
3. Surfaoe? Navigation? 4. Products? 5. Population? 6. Capital? Other 
towns ? 


7 



74 


BRITISH AMERICA 


7. Government. —The Government is like that of New Bruns¬ 
wick. Nova Scotia was captured from the French in 1710, and 
finally ceded to the British, by the treaty of Utrecht, in 1713. 



HALIFAX. 


8. Religion. —The Church of England is established; but other 
Protestant denominations flourish. The Presbyterians are the most 
numerous. There are a few Roman Catholics. 

9. Nova Scotia, when possessed by the French, was called Acadie, 
and the people, Acadians. When the British took possession, great 
numbers of the Acadians were exiled because they refused to take 
the oath of allegiance. This forced exile, and the suffering occasioned 
by it, form the subject of Longfellow’s beautiful poem Evangeline, 

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. 

1. Position and Extent.— Prince Edward Island lies east of 
New Brunswick and north of Nova Scotia, and is separated from 
both by the Strait of Northumberland. Area, 2100 square miles. 

7. Government ? When captured ? 8. Religion ? 9. What further about 

Nova Scotia? Prince Edward Island.— 1. Where is it? Area? 














NEWFOUNDLAND. 


75 


2. Natural Features. —The coast-line is so indented that no 
part of the island is more than 8 miles from the sea. The surface 
is level, and the soil fertile. The climate is milder than in the adja¬ 
cent colonies. From the large forests considerable quantities of 
lumber are obtained, and the fisheries on the coast and neighboring 
banks are productive. Ship-building is carried on to some extent. 

3. Population.— The population numbers 81,000, and is composed 
of English and French. 

4. Chief Town.— Charlottetown, the capital, is three miles north 
of Hillsborough Bay. 

5. This island, settled by the French, and originally called St. John, 
was named, in the year 1780, after Prince Edward, afterwards Duke 
of Kent, and father of Queen Victoria. 


QUESTIONS ON MAP NO. 6, NEWFOUNDLAND. 

Newfoundland.— Bound Newfoundland. What strait separates 
it from Labrador? Where is White Bay? Notre Dame ( nofr-dahm') 
Bay ? Trinity Bay ? Placentia Bay ? St. George Bay ? Gulf of 
St. Lawrence? Cape Race? Cape Ray? Name the two largest 
lakes. What range and what hills? What two rivers? What and 
where is the capital ? 


NEWFOUNDLAND. 

1. Position and Extent.— Newfoundland is a large island, 
separated from the mainland of Labrador by the Strait of Belle- 
isle. It is the largest island on the Atlantic coast. Area, 40,000 
square miles. 

2. Natural Features. —On the coast the surface is low and 
marshy. In the interior it is varied, being rocky and uneven at the 
north, while in other parts are dense thickets and extensive lagunes. 

3. The Great Bank, lying southeast of Newfoundland, is a vast shal¬ 
low, or submarine plateau, in the Atlantic Ocean. It is 600 miles 

2. Coast-lino? Climate? Products, Ac.? 3. Population? 4. Capital? 5. What 
further about this island? Newfounpland. — 1. Where is it? Area? 2. Sur- 
fuoo ? 3. What of the Great Bank? Cod-fishery ? About fogs ? 




76 


BRITISH AMERICA. 


long by 200 broad. The cod-fishery is carried on here from June 
to October, and employs more than 1000 boats and larger vessels, 
producing fish and oil annually to the value of 6,000,000 dollars. 
The bank is often covered with dense fogs, occasioned by the meet¬ 
ing of the waters of the Gulf Stream with the colder polar currents. 



COD-FISHING. 


4. Products.— Cod, herring, salmon, and other fish abound. The 
seal, sea-horse, and grampus are found on the coast. The well-known 
Newfoundland dog was first found here. 

5. Population.— The population, composed chiefly of English 
and Irish, numbers about 123,000. 

6. Chief Town.—St. John’s, on the southeast coast, is the capital. 
It is only 1656 miles from Valentia in Ireland. Nearly all its 
inhabitants are fishermen. 

The United States and France have obtained rights to fish on the 
coast and banks, and to cure the fish on the shore. 

4. Products, &c. ? 5. Population ? 6. Capital ? What of the United States 
and France ? 



BRITISH COLUMBIA AND VANCOUVER ISLAND. 


rr 

7 i 

7. Government.— The Government is vested in a Governor, 
appointed by the Crown, assisted by Councils and an Assembly, 
as in New Brunswick. 

8. Religion.— The Church of England is established by law; but 
the majority of the people are Roman Catholics. 

9. Education. —There are numerous elementary schools and a 
normal school, under the patronage of the Government, besides 
many academies and grammar schools. 

10. Labrador is an extensive but barren region lying on the 
Atlantic coast east of New Britain. It is inhabited by Esquimaux 
and a few Moravian missionaries. It is noted for its seal-fisheries, 
which are carried on from June to September. Nain is the principal 
missionary settlement. The mean temperature for the year is 7° 
below the freezing-point. Labrador is attached to the Government 
of Newfoundland. 


BRITISH COLUMBIA AND VANCOUVER ISLAND. 

1. Position and Extent.— British Columbia embraces the ter¬ 
ritory between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains, and 
between the United States on the south and Finley and Simpson 
Rivers on the north. Area, 200,000 square miles. 

2. Natural Features. —The Rocky Mountains are on the east, 
the highest peak, Mt. Brown, being 10,000 feet high; the Cascade 
Mountains are on the west. Frazer River, 700 miles long, flows 
between these two ranges, and empties into the Gulf of Georgia. 
Columbia River rises in British Columbia, flows through Oregon, and 
there empties into the Pacific: it is 1200 miles long. 

3. Soil, Climate, &c.—In the west the soil is fertile and well 
adapted to pasturage; in the north the climate is cold, and the 
winters are long. The chief attraction of this region is its gold, 
which is found mainly in the alluvial deposits of Frazer River. 

4. Chief Town.—New Westminster, near the mouth of Frazer 
River, is the capital and principal town. 

7 . Government? 8. Religion? 9. Education? 10. Labrador. —Where 
is it? Inhabitants? For what noted? Town? Climate? Government? 
British Columbia. —1. Where is it? Area? 2. Mountains? Frazer River? 
Columbia River? 3. Soil and climate? Chief attraction? 4. Capital? 

7 * 



78 


BRITISH AMERICA. 


Queen Charlotte Island, on the west coast, belongs to this colony, 
and is 1G5 miles long by GO wide. 

5. Vancouver Island. Position and Extent. —This island, 
named after Captain Vancouver, a British navigator, lies near the 
coast of British Columbia, from which it is separated by the Gulf 
of Georgia. It is about 280 miles long by 60 broad. Area, 13,500 square 
miles. It is noted for being the largest island on the Pacific coast. 

6. Products.—Gold has been discovered; coal is found in large 
quantities. Fish abound on the coast, and furs are obtained. 

7. Chief Town. —Victoria, in the southern part, is the capital. 
It is beautifully situated on a sheltered harbor. 

8. Government. —British Columbia and Vancouver Island are 
under one government, like that of Newfoundland. 

ISLANDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 

1. The islands of North America are numerous, and many of 
them important. The larger islands, Iceland, Newfoundland, Prince 
Edward Island, Vancouver Island, and the West Indies, are de¬ 
scribed elsewhere. 

2. The following are of less importance, and lie nearly all in the 
Arctic Ocean. The North Georgian Islands and North Devon are 
north of Melville and Lancaster Sounds. They were discovered by 
Captain Parry: he wintered on one of the first-named group in the 
years 1819-20. 

3. The islands called Banks’s Land, Prince Albert’s Land, Victoria 
Land, Prince of Wales’ Land, and North Somerset, Cockburn, and 
King William’s Islands, lie south of Melville and Lancaster Sounds. 
On the latter were found remains of Sir John Franklin’s unfortunate 
expedition. All these islands lie north of the mainland of North 
America, in a frigid climate. The inhabitants consist of a few wan¬ 
dering Esquimaux scattered over a great extent of territory. 

4. The Aleutian Islands consist of several groups lying between 
the peninsula of Alaska and the Asiatic continent. They are rocky 
and volcanic. The inhabitants are a mixture of Asiatics and North 

Queen Charlotte Island? Vancouver Island.—5. Where is it? Length 
and breadth? 6. Products? 7. Capital? 8. Government? Islands of North 
America. —1. What is said of them? 2. What of the North Georgian and 
others? 3. Banks’s Land and others? How are these islands situated? 
People? 4. Of the Aleutian Islands? What of the inhabitants? 



ARCTIC EXPEDITIONS AND EXPLORATIONS. 


79 


American Indians. Their occupation is fishing and hunting. In 
winter they live in houses under ground, to protect themselves from 
the severe cold. They number about 9000. 

5. The Archipelagoes of George III. and the Prince of Wales lio 
near the southernmost point of Russian America. On one of the 
islands of the first-named, Sitka, is situated the chief trading-station 
of the Russians on the northwest coast of America. The inhabitants 
are Russians and Indians. 

ARCTIC EXPEDITIONS AND EXPLORATIONS. 

1. Ever since America was discovered, adventurous mariners have 
attempted to find a northwest passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific 
Ocean, so as to reach China by a shorter way than the usual 
routes. 

2. The principal efforts have been recently made, and the success 
of one explorer has proved that although the water passage exists, 
it is likely to be always useless. 

3. The Arctic regions include all those portions of America, 
Europe, and Asia which lie north of the Arctic Circle, latitude 66° 
32 / . The winter in these frigid regions continues for eight months; 
the sea freezes to a depth of from 10 to 30 feet. In the spring the 
ice in the more open parts breaks up into vast fields and islands of 
ice, rendering navigation difficult and dangerous. 

4. John and Sebastian Cabot entered tlio Arctic Ocean on tho 
west coast of Greenland in 149G-97. In the early part of the 17th 
century, Henry Hudson passed through the strait and into the bay 
which bears his name, where ho was lost. 

5. In 1818, Captain John Ross made a voyage to tho Arctic 
regions, with unimportant results. In 1819, Captain Parry disco¬ 
vered Melville Island, and in a second voyage he wintered in Prince 
Regent's Inlet. 

6. In 1845, Captain Sir John Franklin, of the British Navy, sailed 
with two vessels, the Erebus and Terror, in search of the Northwest 
Passage. Ho had before visited these regions. 

5. What is said of tho Archipelagoes of George III. and Prince of Wales? 
Ahctic E x pF.niTioNS.— 1 . What is said of a northwest passage? 2. When 
have efforts been made? 3. What do tho Arctic regions include? Climate? 
4. What of tho Cabots and Hudson? 5. Captain Ross? Captain Parry? 
6. Captain Sir John Franklin ? 




80 


BRITISH AMERICA. 


7. As he did not return after the three years that he had intended 
to be absent, several small expeditions were fitted out to discover his 
fate and that of the 138 persons who sailed with him, and also for 
the purpose of further discoveries. 

8. Of these expeditions, three have sailed from the United States, 
the first under Lieutenant De Haven, of the navy, the second and 
most remarkable under Dr. E. K. Kane, who had sailed with Lieu¬ 
tenant De Haven, and the third under Dr. 1.1. Hayes, who had sailed 
with Dr. Kane. 

9. Dr. Kane penetrated to within 519 miles of the North Pole. It 
was his opinion that Smith’s Sound opened into a polar sea always 
free from ice; but this has not been substantiated. 

10. The principal recent British expeditions were made by Cap¬ 
tains Collinson, McClure, and McClintock. The latter, in the yacht 
“ Fox,” found some relics of Franklin’s party on King William’s 
Island, where they had been for 20 months blocked in the ice. 
Every man of the party had perished. 

11. Captain Sir Robert McClure succeeded at last, in 1852, in 
effecting the passage from ocean to ocean; but it remains a barren 
discovery, the ice and the intricacy of the passage forbidding its 
ever becoming of use for navigation. 


QUESTIONS ON MAP NO. 7, UNITED STATES. 

United States.—1. Bound the United States. Between what 
parallels of latitude does it principally lie? Between what meri¬ 
dians of longitude ? 

2. Bays, Gulfs, and Sounds.—Where are Passamaquoddy, 
Penobscot, and Casco Bays? Where is Long Island Sound? New 
York Bay ? Delaware Bay ? Chesapeake Bay ? Where are Albe¬ 
marle and Pamlico Sounds? Where is St. Helena Sound? Where 
are Chatham, Tampa, Apalachee, St. Andrews, and Pensacola Bays? 
Where is Mobile Bay? Black Bay? Where are Barataria, Timballier 

7. What search was made? 8. Name the three expeditions from the United 
States. 9. How far did Kane penetrate? What of the open Polar Sea? 10. 
What late expeditions? 11. What of Captain Sir Robert McClure’s? 




QUESTIONS ON MAP OF THE UNITED STATES. 81 


(itim-ba-leer / ), Atchafalaya ( atch-afa-lVah ), and Vermilion Bays? 
Galveston, Matagorda, and Aransas Bays? "Where is the Gulf of 
Mexico? Where are Monterey ( mon-tay-ray'), San Francisco, and 
Bodega Bays? Where is Puget (pu'jet) Sound? Admiralty Inlet? 

3. Capes. —Where are Capes Ann and Cod? Where is Cape 
May ? Henlopen ? Capes Charles and Henry ? Ilatteras, Lookout, 
and Fear? Canaveral ( ka-nav'er-al )? Florida, Sable, Homans, and 
St. Bias? Cape Mendocino [men-do-see'no) ? Capes Orford, Arago, 
Foulweather, Lookout ? Cape Flattery ? 

4. Islands. —Where is Mt. Desert Island? Nantucket? Martha’s 
Vineyard? Long Island? The Bahamas? The Florida Reefs? Tor- 
tugas ? The Santa Barbaras ? 

5. Mountains. —What mountains in the east? Ans. There are 
several ranges in the east, but the whole are known as the Alleghany 
Mountains. What vast range in the west? Ans. The Ilocky Moun¬ 
tains. This great mountain range enters the United States from the 
north in Montana, passes through the United States to Mexico, and 
there takes the name of Sierra Madre. Where are the Sierra Nevada? 
The Cascade Mountains ? The Coast Mountains ? 

G. Lakes, &c. —Where is Moosehead Lake? Champlain? On¬ 
tario? Erie? St.Clair? Huron? Michigan? Superior? Lake of 
the Woods? Red? Devil? Okeechobee? Pontchartrain? Great 
Salt? Pyramid? Tule ( too'lay )? The Okefinokee (o-ke-fn-o'ke) 
Swamp? The Everglades? 

7. Rivers. —Where do the rivers of the United States flow? 
Ans. The livers of the United States that rise on the eastern side of 
the Alleghany Mountains jlow into the Atlantic Ocean. The rivers on 
the west of the Rocky Mountains flow into the Pacific Ocean . The 
country between the Rocky and the Alleghany Mountains is called the 
Valley of the Mississippi, and the rivers in this valley flow generally 
into the Gulf of Mexico through the Mississippi River. 

How do you know generally what is the highest part of a country ? 
Answer. As all rivers run downward toward the sea or ocean, the 
highest part of a country may generally be found by tracing a river 
upward from the sea to its source. Describe the Connecticut River. 
Ans. The Connecticut River rises in the State of New Hampshire, flows 
south between that State and Vermont, through Massachusetts and Con¬ 
necticut, and empties into Long Island Sound. 


82 


THE UNITED STATES. 


Describe the St. Lawrence. Hudson. Delaware. Susquehanna 
Potomac. James. Cape Fear. Savannah. Altamaha ( awl-ta-ma- 
haw / ). Mobile. Mississippi. Name five affluents of the Mississippi 
on the east. Five on the west. Which is the largest of all these 
affluents? Describe the Sabine ( sah-been / ). Colorado of Texas. Rio 
Grande. Colorado of Mexico. San Joaquin ( ho-ah-keen / ). Sacra¬ 
mento. Columbia. Ohio. Name five affluents of the Ohio in Ken¬ 
tucky. Two in West Virginia. Two in Pennsylvania. One in Ohio. 
One between Indiana and Illinois. Name five affluents of the Mis¬ 
souri on the north. Five on the south. 

8. States. —Name the first five States on the Atlantic border, 
beffinninor with Maine. Next five. Next four. Five States on the 

o o 

Gulf of Mexico. Two on the Pacific. Name eight States that border 
more or less on the Great Lakes. Where is Vermont? West Vir¬ 
ginia ? Arkansas ? Tennessee ? Kentucky ? Missouri ? Iowa ? 
Kansas? Nevada? These last-named nine States do not border on 
the Ocean, Gulf, or Great Lakes. 

Bound the following States, and name their Capitals.—Maine. 

New Hampshire. Vermont. Massachusetts. Rhode Island. Con¬ 
necticut. New York. New Jersey. Pennsylvania. Delaware. Mary¬ 
land. Virginia. West Virginia. 

North Carolina. South Carolina. Georgia. Florida. Alabama. 
Mississippi. Louisiana. Texas. Arkansas. Tennessee. Kentucky. 
Ohio. Michigan. Indiana. Illinois. Wisconsin. Missouri. Iowa. 
Minnesota. Kansas. Nevada. California. Oregon. How many 
States ? Ans. 36. 

9. Territories.—Bound the following Territories, and name 
their Capitals. —Nebraska. Colorado. Dakota. Montana. Idaho. 
Washington. Utah. Arizona. New Mexico. Indian Territory. How 
many Territories ? Ans. 10. The Territory attached to Dakota is 
unorganized, and is not counted as a separate territory. 

What is the Capital of the United States? How situated? 

What is the difference between the capital and the capitol of a 
country ? Answer. The capital is the chief town or city, where the 
Legislature meets to make the laws, and it is called the seat of 
government. In the United States, the word capitol is applied to the 
building in which the Legislature assembles. 


THE UNITED STATES. 


83 



CAPITOL AT WASHINGTON. 


THE UNITED STATES. 

1. Position and Extent.— The United States of America com¬ 
prises that portion of North America lying between the British 
possessions on the north and Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico on the 
south, and between the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Pacific 
Ocean on the west. 

2. It extends about 2750 miles from east to west, and 1700 from 
north to south. It includes 25 degrees of latitude, and upwards of 
57 of longitude, or more than half the land lying in the temperate 
zone of North America. The frontier-lino is nearly 10,000 miles 
in length, and the coast-line, on the Atlantic, the Pacific, the Gulf of 
Mexico, and the Great Lakes, about 12,000 miles. Area, 3,010,000 
square miles. 

3. Natural Features. — Mountains .—The Rocky Mountains, 

!. What does tho United States comprise? 2. Its extent? How many do 
^rces of latitude and longitude? Frontier-lino? Const-line? Area? 3. 
What mountains ? Loftiest peaks? What of this chain ? 







84 


THE UNITED STATES. 


with the Sierra Madre, form the most extensive range. Their 
loftiest points are Fremont’s, Long’s, and Pike’s Peaks, from 12,000 
to 13,750 feet in height. They are the northern portion of the vast 
chain of mountains extending 9800 miles, from the Arctic Ocean to 
the Straits of Magellan. 

4. A more western system extends through California, Oregon, 
and Washington, in several parallel ridges and spurs, bearing 
distinct names, as the Sierra Nevada, the Cascade Range, and the 
Coast Mountains. Of these, Mount St. Helens, Mount Hood, Mount 
Shasta, and some peaks of the Sierra Nevada in California, rear 
their snowy summits from 12,000 to 15,000 feet. 

5. The Alleghany Mountains begin in the State of Maine, in the 
form of detached peaks, and extend, in a southwest direction, to the 
State of Alabama. In the eastern and central part this chain corn- 
prices several parallel ridges, bearing local names, as the White and 
Green Mountains in New England, the Blue Ridge in Virginia, 
North Carolina, and Georgia, and the Cumberland Mountains in 
Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama. 

G. Surface.—The surface may be divided into three parts: 1st. 
The Atlantic slope, extending from the Alleghany Mountains to the 
Atlantic Ocean ; 2d. The Pacific slope, comprising all the country 
lying between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific, at a distance 
of from six hundred to a thousand miles; 3d. The Mississippi Valley, 
including the region between the Alleghany Mountains on the east 
and the Rocky Mountains on the west, its breadth on the 40th paral¬ 
lel being about 1400 miles. 

7. The United States is one of the best-watered regions on the 
globe; its lakes and rivers are of the first magnitude, and furnish 
an inland navigation of more than 20,000 miles in extent. 

8. Lakes.—The great lakes, Superior, Huron, Erie, Ontario, and 
Michigan, form a remarkable feature. They are very deep, are con¬ 
nected with each other by straits and rivers, and pour their united 
waters through the St. Lawrence River into the Atlantic Ocean. 

9. The international boundary-line of the United States and 


4. What other mountain system ? Highest peaks ? 5. What of the Alleghany 
Mountains? What does this range comprise? 6. What of the surface? First 
slope ? Second slope ? Third slope ? 7. What of its waters ? 8. What great lakes ? 
Describe them. 9. What of the international boundary ? What further of 



THE UNITED STATES. 


85 



Canada passes through the middle of them all, with the exception 
of Lake Michigan, which is wholly in the United States. These 
lakes form the largest body of fresh water in the world, and cover 
an area of 94,000 square miles; their commerce is immense; great 
numbers of steam and other vessels ply upon their waters, and 
flourishing cities adorn their banks. 

10. Rivera.— The Rocky Mountains form a vast watershed for 
the rivers 

which flow 
east into the 
valley of the 
Mississippi 
and • west to¬ 
wards the Pa¬ 
cific Ocean. 

The Allegha¬ 
ny Mountains 
form another 
great water¬ 
shed, from 
which the ri¬ 
vers fall into 
the Atlantic 
Ocean on the 
east, and into 
the valley of 
the Mississip¬ 
pi on the west lake ITASCA ' THE S0URCE 0F THE MISSISSIPPI. 

11. The Mississippi, with its chief affluent the Missouri, is the 
longest river in the world. Its largest tributaries from the east are 
the Illinois, Ohio, and Tennessee, and from the west, besides the 
Missouri, the Nebraska, Arkansas, and Red River. The accumu¬ 
lated waters of all these large rivers are borne by this one stream 
into the Gulf of Mexico. 

This vast river system waters the great western valley, which 
extends 1700 miles, from the Rocky to the Alleghany Mountains, 


these lakes? What of their commerce? 10. What vast watershed ? What 
other watershed? 11. What of the Mississippi River? Other tributaries? 

8 








86 


THE UNITED STATES. 


with an area of more than 1,200,000 square miles. Its settled por¬ 
tion is one of the most productive regions in America: it is often 
called the “Garden of the West” 

12. The most noted rivers east of the Alleghanies are, the Con¬ 
necticut, Hudson, Delaware, Susquehanna, Potomac, Roanoke, 
James, and Savannah. These, though important commercially, 
are of but moderate length: they will be treated of in the geo¬ 
graphy of the States in which they principally lie. 

13. Near the west coast, the Columbia and the Colorado rise in 
the Rocky Mountains; the former flows into the Pacific Ocean, the 
latter into the Gulf of California. The Rio Grande, having its source 
in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, forms for a portion of its course 
the southwest boundary of the United States. 

14. Soil, Climate, and Products. —In a region so extensive as 
the United States almost every variety of soil and climate will be 
found. The agricultural products are greater in proportion to its 
population than those of any other country. In 1860 the wheat and 
corn produced amounted to 1000 million bushels, the hay to nearly 14 
million tons, and the cotton to 2000 million pounds, or 5 million bags. 

In the Southern 
States, sugar, cot¬ 
ton, rice, tobacco, 
and various tropical 
fruits are produced; 
while in the Middle, 
Northern, and West¬ 
ern States, wheat, 
corn, oats, hay, ap¬ 
ples, pears, peach¬ 
es, in short, nearly 
all the productions 
sugar-cane. of the temperate 

zones, are found. In Ohio and California there are many vineyards, 
and considerable quantities of wine are made. 



Where does it flow ? What of this vast river system ? What of its settled 
P l°, n 3 l lv , cr3 T f. ast of the Alleghanies ? 13. What rivers near the west 

coast. What of the Rio Grande ? 14. What of the soil and climate? Agricul¬ 
tural products ? How much wheat and corn in 1860? Hay? Cotton? What of 
the products of the Southern States? Middle, Northern, and Western States? 










TIIU UNITED STATES. 


87 



15. The changes of temperature are greater in the United States 
than in Europe in the same latitudes, the summers being generally 
warmer and the winters colder. In most 
parts the climate seems to be as conducive 
to health, energy, and longevity as that of 
any other country. 

16. Minerals.—Minerals of almost eve¬ 
ry variety are found. Gold is obtained in 
California, Nevada, Colorado, Idaho, and 
in other quarters; copper in Michigan; 
lead in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Mis¬ 
souri ; iron in Pennsylvania, Maryland, 

Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia; and 
coal in Pennsylvania and other States. 

The coal-fields of the United States are 
estimated to be thirty times greater in ex¬ 
tent than those of all Europe. Many varie¬ 
ties of marble, granite, and other building- 
stone are found. 

17. Manufactures. —Manufactures arc 
numerous and extensive. The principal 
are cotton and woollen goods, paper, glass, 
leather, fire-arms, and machinery of all 
kinds. In ship-building the United States 
is not surpassed by any other country. 

18. Commerce. —The commerce of the 
Union, both foreign and domestic, is one of 
the most extensive in the world. This com¬ 
merce is carried on by great numbers of ves¬ 
sels, especially steam-vessels, by the more 
than 30,000 miles of railroads, and by the 
canals and telegraphs with which all the 
settled parts of the country are intersected. 

10. Population. —The population of 
the United States is composed of the white, negro, and Indian races. 


GOLD-MINING IN NEVADA. 


15. What of the temperature? About health? 16. What minerals? What 
of gold? Copper, Ac. ? What of the coal-fields? What of marble, Ac. ? 17. 
Of manufactures? What are tho principal ? About ship-building? 18. What 
of commerce ? 19. What races ? What of them ? How many emigrants ? 







88 


THE UNITED STATES. 


The whites are chiefly of English, German, Irish, and Scotch descent. 
Between the years 182G and 1860, five million emigrants arrived 
from Europe. 

20. The Indians roaming in the West are gradually disappearing 
before the progress of civilization. They are not included in the 
population or enumeration of the people. 

21. By the census of 1860, the entire population of the United 
States was upwards of 31,000,000. The negroes were one-seventh 
of the number, of which nearly 4,000,000 then were slaves; they 
are now all free. There are about 300,000 Indians. 

22. Language. —The English is the national language. In a few 
of the States, German is used to some extent. In Louisiana, French 
is extensively spoken. In New Mexico and Arizona, Spanish is the 
prevailing tongue. 

23. Division into States and Territories. —When Great Britain 
acknowledged the independence of the United States, in 1783, there 
were thirteen States leagued together in a Confederation. The 
number has been increased by the admission of new States: there 
are now thirty-six States, besides ten Territories which, as their popu¬ 
lation becomes sufficient, may be admitted as States. 

24. Chief Cities. —Washington, in the District of Columbia, is 
the capital of the United States. The principal cities on the At¬ 
lantic coast, in passing from north to south, are Boston, New York, 
Philadelphia, Baltimore, Charleston, and Savannah. 

25. Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, on the Ohio, and St. Louis, on the 
Mississippi River, are flourishing cities. Chicago, on Lake Michigan, 
is the largest grain-depot in the world. 

26. New Orleans, near the Gulf of Mexico, has an extensive com¬ 
merce. Mobile is famous for its exports of cotton. San Francisco, 
on the Pacific, is the great commercial depot of the west coast of 
America. 

27. Education. —Education is more generally diffused than in 
any other country. Besides many colleges and other institutions 
of learning, there are in the several States public free schools, pro- 

20. What of the Indians? 21. Population? 22. What languages are 
spoken? 23. How many States at first ? How many now? How many ter¬ 
ritories ? 24. Capital ? Cities on the Atlantic coast ? 25. Other cities ? 26. 

About New Orleans and others? 27. What of education? What of col¬ 
leges, &c.? 




THE UNITED STATES. 89 

vided by law, in which nearly all the children receive the rudiments 
of education. 

28. So general is education in the United States, that very few of 
the white inhabitants are unable to read and write. The press is 
entirely free. There are more newspapers published than in any 
other country in the world. 

29. There are various national scientific institutions, of which tho 



SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 


Smithsonian Institution, and the National Observatory at Wash¬ 
ington, the Military Academy at West Point, and the Naval Aca¬ 
demy at Annapolis, are the principal. Various exploring expedi¬ 
tions have been sent out, whose labors have extended the domain of 
science. The Coast Survey has been prosecuted for more than 50 
years ; it is highly useful to the commerce of the world. 

30. Government.—The United States is a Federal Republic, tho 
people of the various States being bound together for this purpose by 

28. What further of education ? What of tho press and newspapers ? 29. 
What national scientific institutions? About exploring expeditions? Coast 
Survey? 30. Government? When was tho Constitution framed? 

8 * 















90 


THE UNITED STATES. 


a Constitution, which was framed in 1787, and became operative in 
April, 1789, Washington being the first President. 

31. Each State has a separate government for the management of 
its own internal affairs. 

32. The Federal Government, the capital of which is Washington, 
is divided into three departments,—the Executive, the Legislative, 
and the Judiciary. 

33. The Executive, designed to execute the laws of the country, 
and to sustain the relations of the country at home and abroad, is 
confided to the President of the United States, who is elected by the 
people for four years. With him is associated the Vice-President, 
elected for the same term ; who, in case of the death, resignation, or 
disability of the President, supplies his place. 



PRESIDENT'S HOUSE. 

34. The President appoints various Secretaries, to assist him in 
his duties. These are, the Secretaries of State, of the Treasury, of 
War, of the Navy, and of the Interior; these, with the Attorney-Gene^ 
ral and the Postmaster-General, constitute his Cabinet, and are his 
counsellors and advisers. 


31. What of each State? 32. What of the Federal Government? What 
three departments? 33. What of the Executive? With whom is he associated? 
When does the Vice-President supply the place of the President? 34. What 
assistants has the President ? What are they called ? 













TIIE UNITED STATES. 


91 


35. The Legislative department is so called because it makes tho 
laws which the President and his officers are to execute. It consists 
of the Senate and the House of Representatives. These form the 
Congress of the United States. There are two Senators from each 
State, elected for six years. The members of the House of Repre¬ 
sentatives are elected for two years. Congress meets at the capital 
every year, on the first Monday in December. 

36. The Judiciary department interprets the laws. It consists— 
1st, of a Supreme Court, composed of a Chief Justice and eight 
Associate Judges; 2d, of Circuit Courts, held by two judges in each 
of the ten circuits into which the country is divided; and 3d, of 
District Courts, held by one judge in every district in the Union. 

37. State Governments.—The government of each State is 
modelled upon that of the Federal Government. The great depart¬ 
ments are similarly constituted. The chief executive officer is called 
a Governor; and the legislative bodies are called Legislatures. They 
meet at the capitals of their several States, to make laws. 

38. Religion.—In no country in the world are the people so 
thoroughly under religious and Christian influence as in the United 
States. Yet religion is not established by law, nor has the Govern¬ 
ment any power to interfere in religious affairs. Perfect religious 
toleration exists, and every man may worship God according to the 
dictates of his own conscience. 

39. A great majority of the people are Protestants; tho most 
numerous arc the Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, 
and Lutherans. 

In Maryland and Louisiana, and among the Irish and German 
emigrants in all the States, there are many Roman Catholics. In 
Pennsylvania, and some other States, there are Friends or Quakers, 
Moravians, and Swcdenborgians, and in Utah, Mormons. 

Note.— More detailed information on many points alluded to in this 
sketch of the United States will be found in the descriptions of the 
several States. _ 

35. What does tho Legislative department do ? Of what docs it consist ? 
How many Senators? Members of the House? When does Congress meet? 
36. What of the Judiciary department? What of tho Circuit Court? Of tho 
District Court ? 37. What of each State Government? What is the State chief 
executive called? What are tho Stato legislative bodies called? Where do 
they meet ? 38. What of religion ? 39. What are a great majority ? What in 
Maryland and Louisiana? In Pennsylvania? In Utah? 




92 


TIIE UNITED STATES. 


CLASSIFICATION OF THE STATES. 

The usual division of the United States has been as follows :— 

First, The New England or Eastern States, including Maine, 
New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Hhode Island, and Con¬ 
necticut. Second, The Middle States, including New York, New 
Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Third, The Southern States, 
including Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South 
Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and 
Texas. Fourth, The Western States, including Ohio, Kentucky, 
Tennessee, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and all others 
west of the Mississippi River. 

Some geographers have made but two divisions, viz.: according 
to climate and productions: thus, all the States lying north of 36° 
3CK north latitude are called the Grain States, and those lying 
south of that line, the Cotton States. Others, again, make seven 
divisions, viz.: the Northeastern States, Middle States, Southern 
Atlantic States, Gulf States, Lake States, River States, and the 
Pacific States. As no one of these divisions is quite logical, and 
as the admission of new States would constantly demand new divi¬ 
sions, it has been thought best to enumerate the States according to 
a systematic order, as they are arranged upon the map. 

MAINE. 

Questions on Map No. 8, Maine.— Bound Maine ( see map 
No. 7). Where is Passamaquod / dy Bay? (Map No. 8.) Penobscot 
Bay ? Casco Bay ? Name the four largest islands on the coast. 
Which is the largest? What mountains on the northwest? What 
three mountain peaks in the interior ? What four lakes north of the 
centre ? Of what lake is the river St. Croix the outlet ? Into what 
does the St. Croix flow ? Where does the Penobscot rise, and through 
what lakes does it flow ? Where does it empty ? Where does the 
Kennebec rise, flow, and empty? The Androscoggin? The Sebago? 
The Saco? What and where is the capital? Where is Portland? 
Lewiston? Saco? Biddeford? Bangor? Bath? Thomaston? Rock¬ 
land? Calais? Belfast? Kittery? 


MAINE. 


93 



PORTLAND. 


1. Position and Extent. —Maine lies in the northeastern part 
of the United States, and borders New Brunswick on the north and 
east. Its average length is 200 miles by about 1G0 in breadth. Area, 
30,000 square miles. 

2. Natural Features.— Surface. —The surface is greatly diver¬ 
sified ; in the interior it is hilly, and in the north there are mountain 
spurs and peaks. Of these, Mount Katah / din, north of the centre 
of the State, is the highest, having an elevation of upwards of 5000 
feet. 

3. Coast-line. —The coast-line is more than 200 miles long, is 
much indented, and forms many extensive bays and harbors. There 
are numerous islands near the coast; the largest, Mount Desert, is 
noted for its 13 mountain peaks, the highest of which is upwards 
of 2000 feet. 

4. Lakes. —In the interior are numerous lakes, of which Moosc- 

Maink.— 1. Where is Maine? Length and breadth? Area? 2. Of tho 
surface ? Highest peak ? 3. Coast-lino ? Islands ? Largest, and for what 

noted? 4. Lakes? 




94 


THE UNITED STATES. 


head is the largest. Others are the Chesuncook ( che-sun'kook ), 
Millinoket ( mil-le-no'ket ), Schoodic ( skoo'dilc ), Umba'gog, and Se- 
bago. 

5. Rivers .—The principal rivers are the Saco ( saw'ko ), Andros¬ 
coggin, Kennebec, Penobscot, and St. Croix. These flow in a south¬ 
erly direction and empty into bays on the Atlantic coast. 

6. Soil and Climate .—The soil is good, and well adapted to 
grazing. The climate is cold, but salubrious; the winters are long 
and severe. 

T. Products. —The vegetable products of Maine are chiefly re¬ 
quired to supply the needs of the people; hay, potatoes, apples, and 
hops are largely exported. Other exports are marble, granite, lime, 
and ice. Luxuriant forests of pine, hemlock, cedar, and spruce, cover 
the northern part of the State. 

8. The grand staple and source of wealth is lumber. It is cut 
in the great northern forests in winter, floated down the rivers in 
the spring, prepared for market in the extensive saw-mills near the 
coast, and thence largely exported. 

Maine leads any of the other States in ship-building. The vessels 
built here amount in tonnage to one-third of all that are built in the 
United States. The manufactures are important, and consist of cot¬ 
ton and woollen fabrics, leather, pig iron, castings, and paper. There 
are extensive fisheries of cod, mackerel, herring, and salmon. 

■§. Population.—The people are principally of English descent; 
they number 628,000, and reside chiefly in the southern and central 
parts. At the Madawaska settlement, in the north, the inhabitants 
are chiefly of French descent. A few Indians are found on the 
Penobscot River and Passamaquoddy Bay. 

10. Chief Towns.—Augusta, the capital, is situated on the Ken¬ 
nebec River, about fifty miles from its mouth. It has several hand¬ 
some public buildings, among which are the State-House, the United 
States Arsenal, the Lunatic Asylum, and the County Jail. 

11. Portland, the largest city, is situated on a fine harbor in Casco 
Bay, and is the principal depot of the foreign commerce of the State. 

5. Rivers? Where do they flow and empty? 6. Soil and climate? 7. Vege¬ 
table products, &c. ? Exports? 8. What grand staple? What is said of it? 
What of ship-building? Of manufactures? Of fisheries? 9. Of the popu¬ 
lation? Of Madawaska? Indians? 10. Capital? What is said of it? 11. Of 
Portland ? Of Lewiston and other towns ? Bangor ? Bath and other towns ? 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 95 

A line of steamers sails from Portland to Liverpool. Lewiston, Saco, 
and Biddeford are noted for their manufactures. 

Bangor, on the Penobscot, about sixty miles from its mouth, is a 
great lumber-market, nearly two hundred million feet having been 
exported thence in a single year. 

Bath is noted for its ship-building, and Thomaston for its trade in 
lime, marble, and granite; Rockland for ship-building and exports 
of lime. Calais ( kaVis) and Belfast are other important towns. At 
Kittery is a United States Navy-Yard. 

12. Education. —There are numerous academies and seminaries, 
and a State Normal School at Farmington. The public schools are 
under an excellent educational system, and there are but few inha¬ 
bitants who cannot read and write. 

Waterville College is at Waterville, Bowdoin ( bo'din ) College at 
Brunswick, and Bates College at Lewiston. 


NEW HAMPSHIRE. 

Questions on Map No. 8, New Hampshire. —Bound New 
Hampshire. What mountains in New Hampshire? Where are 
they? What lakes, and where are they? What river between 
New Hampshire and Vermont? What other river in the north? 
Where is the Cocheco (ko-cfiee'ko) ? Merrimac? Piscataqua [pis- 
kaV a-Jcwaft) ? What and where is the capital? Where is Ports¬ 
mouth? Manchester? Nashua? Dover? Exeter? Claremont? 
Haverhill ? Conway ? Keene ? 

1. Position and Extent.— New Hampshire lies southwest of 
Maine. It is about 1G0 miles long by an average of 50 broad. 
Area, 9280 square miles. 

2. Natural Features. — Mountains. —In the north arothe.White 
Mountains, containing numerous clusters and peaks, which are inter¬ 
spersed with lakes and abound in beautiful and picturesque scenery: 
hence this State is sometimes called “the Switzerland of America.” 

12. What is said of education? Of the colleges? New Hampshire.—1. 
Whcro is New Hampshire? Length and breadth? Area? 2. What moun¬ 
tains ? What of tho higher peaks ? How high ? Other mountains ? 




96 


THE UNITED STATES. 


The higher peaks of the White Mountains are covered with snow 
nearly the whole year. Mount Washington, the loftiest, is 6234 feet 



SUMMIT OF MOUNT WASHINGTON. 


high, and is the highest land in New England. Further south ar<t 
the Grand Monad / nock and Kearsarge ( keer'saij) Mountains, which 
are of considerable height. 

3. Coast-line .—The sea-coast of New Hampshire is only 18 miles 
in extent, and affords but one seaport, Portsmouth. 

4. Lakes .—The principal lakes are Umbagog and Connecticut, in 
the north; and Winnipiseogee [win-ne-pe-sock'ee) and Os / sipee, near 
the centre. The scenery on these lakes is picturesque. 

5. Rivers .—The Connecticut River separates New Hampshire 
from Vermont; many flourishing towns are situated upon its banks. 
The Morrimac flows south through the State; the Androscoggin 
flows south, and afterwards east into Maine. Other rivers are the 
Margal'loway, Ossipee, Cocheco, and Piscataqua. 

6. Soil and Climate .—The soil is generally productive., but is 

3. What of the coast-lino ? 4. Of the lakes and their scenery? 5. What 
rivers ? 6. Soil and climate? 





VERMONT. 97 

suited to grazing rather than agriculture. The climate is similar 
to that of Maine, but is somewhat milder. 

7. Products.— Lumber is an important product, and is exten¬ 
sively employed in ship-building. Wheat, rye, barley, and Indian 
corn are the principal grains. Granite is largely quarried and ex¬ 
ported,—so largely that New Hampshire is sometimes called “the 
Granite State.” Iron is found in various localities. 

8. Population.— The inhabitants are chiefly of English descent, 
and number 326,000. 

9. Chief Towns.— Concord, the capital, is situated on the right 
bank of the Merrimac River. It has numerous public buildings, 
of which the State-House and the State Prison are the finest. 

10. Portsmouth, on the Piscataqua River, three miles from its 
mouth, has a fine harbor. At Kittery, in the State of Maine, oppo¬ 
site Portsmouth, is a United States Navy-Yard. 

Manchester and Nashua, on the Merrimac, and Dover, on the 
Cocheco River, are noted for their extensive manufactures: the last- 
named is the oldest town in the State. Keene, Exeter, Bristol, 
Claremont, Haverhill, and Conway are flourishing towns. 

11. Education. —New Hampshire has an excellent system of 
public schools. Dartmouth College, Chandler Scientific School at 
Hanover, and the Methodist Biblical Institute at Concord, are the 
chief educational institutions above the rank of academies. 


VERMONT. 

Questions on Map No. 8, Vermont. —Bound Vermont. What 
mountain range? Where is Mansfield Mt.? Camel’s Hump? As- 
cutney Mt.? Killington Peak? What lake in the northwest? What 
islands in Lake Champlain? What river on the east? What river 
flows from Lake Champlain into Lake St. Peter, in Canada East? 
What rivers flow into Lake Champlain? What into Connecticut 
River? What and where is the capital? Where is Burlington? 
St. Albans? Northfield? Middlebury? Rutland? Norwich? 
Windsor? Bellows Falls? Bennington? Brattleboro? 

7. What of the products? 8. Population? 9. Whnt is said of Concord? 
10. Of Portsmouth? Of Kittery? Other towns ? 11. Of education ? 

9 





98 


THE UNITED STATES. 


1. Position and Extent. —Vermont lies west of New Hamp¬ 
shire, from which it is separated by the Connecticut River. Its 
length is about 150 miles, and its average breadth about 60 miles. 
Area, 9056 square miles. 

2. Natural Features. — Mountains .—The Green Mountains tra¬ 
verse the State from north to south; from this range (Verts Monts) 
the State derives its name. The highest peak is Mansfield Moun¬ 
tain, 4350 feet above the sea. Camel's Hump, Ascutney Mount, and 
Killington Peak are next in height. The scenery in many parts is 
very beautiful. 

3. Rivers .—The Connecticut River bounds it on the east; the 
other principal rivers are the Missisquoi, Lamoille ( lah-moiV ), Wi¬ 
nooski, Otter Creek, and White River. Vermont has no sea-coast. 

4. Lakes .—Lake Champlain, in the northwestern part, is noted 
for its beautiful scenery. Through it, and by the Richelieu River, 
communication is had with the St. Lawrence River and the Atlantic 



Vermont.— 1 . Where is Vermont? Length and breadth? 9 

Mountains? Highest peaks? Other peaks? 3. Rivers? What about thp 
sea-coast ? 4. What of Lake Champlain ? W bat about the 








MASSACHUSETTS. 


99 


Ocean. It has communication also with the great seaport, New 
York, by canal and the Hudson River. 

5. Soil and Climate .—The soil on both sides of the Green 
Mountains is fertile; the mountain-slopes are suited to the breeding 
of cows, horses, and sheep. The climate is not so cold as that of 
Maine and New Hampshire, and is very healthy. 

G. Products. —Wheat, rye, barley, Indian corn, and other grains, 
are produced. Wool is a principal article of manufacture and 
export. Maple-sugar and butter are made in large quantities. 

7. Population. —The population, chiefly of English origin, with 
a few of French descent, number 315,000. 

8. Chief Towns. —Montpelier ( mont-peeVyer ), the capital, is situ¬ 
ated on the right bank of the Winooski River. Burlington, on Lake 
Champlain, near the mouth of the Winooski, is the largest town in 
the State, and is surrounded by picturesque scenery. 

9. Bennington, in the southwest, is famous for the victory obtained 
by General Stark, with the “Green Mountain Boys,” over a detach¬ 
ment of Hessians, belonging to Burgoyne's army, in 1777. 

Northfield, Brattleboro, Middlebury, Rutland, Norwich, Bellows 
Falls, St. Albans, and Windsor are flourishing towns. 

10. Education. —There are excellent colleges at Middlebury and 
Norwich. The University of Vermont, at Burlington, is a flourish¬ 
ing institution. There is also a well-organized school system, which 
prevails throughout the State. 


MASSACHUSETTS. 

Questions on Map No. 9, Massachusetts. —Bound Massachu¬ 
setts. What three bays on the coast? What sounds? Where is 
Cape Ann? Nahant'? Cape Cod? What islands on the southern 
coast? What mountains in the west? Where are Mt. Tom and Mt. 
Holyoke? Where is Mt. Wachusett? Assawampset Lake? Where 
are the following rivers?—Merrimac? Taunton ( tan'tun) ? Charles? 
Nashua? Connecticut? Ilousatonic (hoo-sali-ton'ik) ? Westfield? 


5. Soil and climate? 6. Products? 7, Population? 8. What of the capi¬ 
tal ? Of Burlington ? 9. Bennington ? Cther*towns ? 10. What of education ? 




100 


THE UNITED STATES. 


Chicopee ? What and where is the capital ? Where is Lowell ? Law¬ 
rence? Newburyport? Taunton? Fall River? Near what city are 
Charlestown, Chelsea ( cheVsee ), Cambridge ( kame'brij ), and Rox- 
bury? Where is New Bedford? Gloucester [glos / ter)‘l Worcester 
( icoos'ter )? Springfield? Holyoke? Northampton? Amherst? 
Pittsfield? Lenox? Williamstown ? Medford? 

1. Position and Extent. —Massachusetts lies south of New 
Hampshire and Vermont. Its length is about 125 miles, and its 
breadth about 60 miles. It includes the islands of Nantucket and 
Martha’s Vineyard, and some smaller islands on the coast. Area, 
7800 square miles. 

2. Natural Features. — Mountains. —The Taconic and Hoosic 
Mountains, a continuation of the Green Mountain range, traverse 
the State in the west: the loftiest peak is Saddle Mountain, 3500 
feet high. Further east, and on the banks of the Connecticut River, 
are the “ twin peaks” of Tom and Holyoke,—the former 1200 and 
the latter 910 feet high. Near the centre is Mount Wachusett, 2000 
feet high. The southeast part of the State is low and sandy, and 
the northeast hilly. 

3. Coast-line. —The coast-line is greatly indented, and forms 
several bays and excellent harbors. 

4. Rivers. —The principal rivers are the Housatonic, which rises 
in the west part of the State, and flows south; the Connecticut, 
which flows through the State from north to south; and the Merri- 
mac, which flows through the northeast part into the Atlantic Ocean. 
These rivers supply immense water-power to large and flourishing 
manufacturing towns on their banks. The other principal streams 
are the Chicopee, Nashua, Taunton, Blackstone, Concord, and 
Charles. 

5. Soil and Climate. —The soil along the valleys of the Con¬ 
necticut and Housatonic is rich and productive, but a large por¬ 
tion of the more elevated lands and those on the long sandy coast 
are sterile. The climate near the coast is variable, with prevailing 
east winds; in the interior it is more equable, but in the moun¬ 
tainous parts, west, it is severe in winter. 

Massachusetts.— 1. Where is Massachusetts? Length and breadth? 
What islands? Area? 2. What mountains? Highest peak? What twin 
peaks ? What other mountain ? ' What of the surface ? 3. Coast-line ? 

4. Rivers ? Other streams ? 5. ftofl ? Climate ? 




MASSACHUSETTS. 


101 


6. Products. —The agricultural products are chiefly Indian corn, 
oats, potatoes, hay, tobacco, apples, butter, and cheese. Granite 
from numerous quarries is exported, and beautiful marble is found 
in the western part. Ice is also an article of export. The fisheries 
of whale, cod, and mackerel are lucrative and important, and em¬ 
ploy more than 20,000 persons. 

7. The crowning source of prosperity to this State is in her vast 
manufactures; cotton,woollen, carpets,flax, machinery, paper, shoes, 
and leather being the principal. Massachusetts stands among the 
first of the Union as a manufacturing State, and, in proportion to her 
population, compares favorably with any other part of the world. 

8. Population. 

— Massachusetts 
is the most dense¬ 
ly peopled of all 
the States. The 
inhabitants are to 
a great extent de¬ 
scendants of the 
English Puritans, 
known as the Pil¬ 
grim Fathers, and 
numberl,231,000. 

9. Chief Towns. 

—Boston, the cap¬ 
ital and chief city, 
is situated in the 
eastern part of the 
State, on Massa¬ 
chusetts Bay. It 
is the fifth city in 
the Union in population, and the second in commerce. It is noted 
for the active part it took in the Revolution, and for its literary so¬ 
ciety. There are numerous fine public buildings, among which arc 
the State-House, Faneuil ( fan'yulil) Hall, Music Hall, Merchants’ 
Exchange, City Hall, City Library, and the Natural History buildings. 

6 Products? What of granite, marble, and ice? Fisheries? 7. What of 
manufactures ? What rank as a manufacturing Stale ? S. Population ? 9. 

What is said of Boston ? 



9* 







102 


THE UNITED STATES. 


10. Lowell and Lawrence are celebrated 
for their extensive cotton and woollen 
manufactories, and for their rapid growth. 
Cambridge, Roxbury, and Charlestown 
adjoin Boston, and are flourishing cities. 
Charlestown is noted as the scene of the 
battle of Bunker Hill: a monument 220 
feet high marks the locality. 

11. Worcester, near the centre of the 
State, and Springfield, on the Connecticut 
River, are flourishing inland cities. New 
Bedford and Gloucester are noted for their 
fisheries and manufactures, Salem for its 
foreign commerce, Lynn for shoes. Other 
important towns are Fall River, Taunton, 

Newburyport, Chelsea, Holyoke, Northampton, and Pittsfield. 

12. Education.—Harvard University, at Cambridge, is the oldest 
and best-endowed literary institution in the United States. There 
are colleges at Amherst, Williamstown, Worcester, and Medford. 
Public schools are in successful operation in every town in the State, 
and the plan of education is thorough and systematic. Besides 
these, there are normal schools and numerous public and private 
academies, 



BUNKER HILL MONUMENT. 


RHODE ISLAND. 

Questions on Map No. 9, Rhode Island. —Bound Rhode Is¬ 
land. What bay on the coast? What points? What island south? 
Where is the island of Rhode Island ? What rivers in Rhode Island ? 
Where and what are the two capitals? Where is Bristol? Smith- 
field? Pawtucket? Natick? Warren? Lonsdale? Woonsocket? 

1. Position and Extent. —Rhode Island lies between Massa- 

10. What is said of Lowell and Lawrence? Cambridge, Roxbury, and 
Charlestown? For what is Charlestown noted? 11. What of Worcester and 
Springfield? New Bedford and Gloucester? Salem? Lynn? Other towns? 
12. What university ? Colleges ? What of the schools ? 

Rhode Island.—1. Where is Rhode Island ? Length and breadth ? Area? 




RHODE ISLAND 


103 


chusetts and Connecticut. It is the smallest State in the Union, 
and is about 50 miles long by 40 broad. Area, 1306 square miles. 

2. Natural Features. — Surface .—The surface is generally 
hilly, without any elevations that can be called mountains. 

3. Coast-line .—The coast is very irregular. Narragansett Bay 
divides the State into two unequal parts, and extends north from 
the Atlantic Ocean a distance of 30 miles; it incloses several small 
islands. Near the coast is Block Island, first discovered in 1524. 

4. Rivers .—The principal rivers are the Blackstone, Patuxet, 
Pawcatuck, and Providence; the latter is an arm of Narragansett 
Bay, and is navigable for ships to the city of Providence. 

5. Soil and Climate .—The soil in many parts is difficult of 
cultivation, while in others it is moderately fertile. It is better 
adapted to grazing than to tillage. The climate is milder than that 
of Massachusetts, owing to its proximity to the sea. 

6. Products. — Indian corn, rye, and oats are the principal 
grains. Apples and garden vegetables are largely produced. Cattle, 



CITY OF PROVIDENCE. 


2. What is said of the surface? 3. Of the coast-line? Island? 4. What 
rivers? 5. Soil? Climate? fi. What products? Fisheries? Mills? 























104 


THE UNITED STATES. 


sheep, and horses are extensively raised. The fisheries are important 
and productive. The rivers furnish abundant water-power, and ex¬ 
tensive cotton, woollen, and other mills are in active operation. 

7. Population. —The inhabitants are chiefly of English descent, 
and number 175,000. 

8. Chief Towns. —The Legislature meets alternately at Provi¬ 
dence and Newport. Providence, one of the capitals, on Providence 
River, is the largest city; it is noted for its manufactures and its 
.educational institutions. Newport, the other capital, lies at the 
mouth of Narragansett Bay, and has one of the finest harbors on the 
coast; it is a famous watering-place. 

9. Bristol, a handsome town, is noted as the place where King 
Philip, who waged Avar with the New England colonies, was killed; 
this place Avas bombarded and mostly destroyed by the British in 
the Revolutionary war. Smithfield, Pawtucket, Natick, Warren, 
Lonsdale, and Woonsocket are flourishing manufacturing towns. 

10. Education. —Brown University, at Providences is a famous 
institution of learning. The State has a large school fund, and sus¬ 
tains a normal school. There are also public grammar-schools of a 
high grade, and numerous primary schools. 


CONNECTICUT. 

Questions on Map No. 9, Connecticut. —Bound Connecticut. 

What sound south? Where is Sachem's Head? Stratford Point? 
Fisher's Island? What two rivers unite and form the Thames R.? 
Where does the Thames empty? Describe the Connecticut R. 
What is it3 principal affluent in this State? Where is the Quin- 
nipiac ? Describe the Housatonic R. Name its affluents. Where 
and Avhat are the tAVO capitals ? Where is Norwich? New London? 
Bridgeport? Waterbury? MiddletoAvn ? Norwalk? Meriden? 
Stamford? Greenwich? Stonington? NeAV Britain? Fairfield? 
Winsted ? 


7. Population? 8. What is said of Providence? Newport? 9. Bristol? 
Other towns ? 10. What of education ? 




CONNECTICUT. 


105 


1. Position and Extent. —Connecticut lies south of Massachu¬ 
setts and west of Rhode Island; its length is about 93 miles, and its 
greatest breadth about 68 miles. Area, 4674 square miles. 

2. N atural Features.— Mountain s. —The Green Mountains 
enter the State at the northwest, in a series of ranges'and detached 
eminences, none of which are of great height, and terminate at New 
Haven, where two remarkable peaks receive the name of West Rock 
and East Rock. 

The surface is generally hilly and broken, with many very fertile 
valleys. 

3. Long Island Sound lies south of Connecticut. It is a large 
body of water, 110 miles long by 2 to 20 miles wide. It is navi¬ 
gable for the largest vessels, and is an important outlet for the trade 
of Connecticut and other Eastern States with the great commercial 
city of New York. 

4. Rivers. —The principal rivers are the Connecticut, which 
flows through the State; the Housatonic, in the west, flowing in a 
course almost parallel with the Connecticut; and the Thames, in the 
east: these rivers flow from the north into Long Island Sound. 

The principal affluent of the Connecticut is the Farmington River; 
of the Housatonic, the Naugatuck; of the Thames, the Quinebaug. 

5. Soil and Climate .—In the valleys of the principal rivers, 
particularly in the valley of the Connecticut, the soil is very fertile 
and productive. The northwest and eastern parts of the State are 
well adapted to grazing ; in the west are many fertile districts where 
grain is raised. The soil is carefully and skilfully cultivated. The 
climate is severe in winter, though in the middle and southern part 
it is milder than in Massachusetts. 

6. Products. —The chief products of the soil are Indian corn, 
hay, oats, potatoes, and tobacco. There are extensive quarries of 
freestone and granite. The former is largely exported. Marble 
of great beauty, lead, copper, and iron, are found. The leading 
interest of the people is in manufactures; they include cotton, wool¬ 
len, iron, machinery, wooden and tin ware, clocks, carriages, shoes, 
hats, and many others. The rivers furnish abundant water-power. 

Connecticut. —1. Where is Connecticut? Length and breadth? Area? 
2. Mountains? Surface? 3. What is said of Long Island Sound? 4. What 
rivers ? What affluents? 5. Soil ? Climate? 6. Products? Minerals? What 
of manufactures? Water-power? 



THE UNITED STATES. 


106 


7. Population. —The population, chiefly of English descent, 
numbers 460,000. 

8. Chief Towns. —Connecticut has two capitals, New Haven and 
Hartford; the Legislature meets in each on alternate years. 

New Haven, the largest city, is beautifully situated on New 
Haven Bay, 4 miles from Long Island Sound; it stands on a plain, 
nearly surrounded by high hills. It is well built; the streets are 
wide, generally straight, and seem to be embowered in magnificent 
elms. A large open square, called “ The Green,” in the centre of the 



“THE GREEN," new haven. 


city, gives to it a very attractive appearance. Upon and around this 
square stand the State-House, several elegant churches, Yale College 
and the City Hall. New Haven is called the “ City of Elms,” and is 
noted for its educational institutions, and for its manufactures. 

9. Hartford, the second city in size, lies on the right bank of the 
Connecticut River, 50 miles from Long Island Sound, and at the 
head of steamboat navigation. Among its attractive public edifices 


7 Population? 8 What two capitals? What is said of New Haven? 
What is it called, and for what noted ? 9. What is said of Hartford ? 







NEW YORK. 


107 


are the State-House, City Hall, Athenaeum, and numerous churches. 
Here, also, is a Retreat for the Insane, and an Asylum for the Deaf 
and Dumb. Hartford is advantageously situated for coastwise com¬ 
merce, and has a large inland trade and extensive manufactures. 

10. Norwich, the third city in Connecticut, lies at the head of 
navigation on the Thames, 16 miles from its mouth: it is a beautiful 
city, and is noted for its extensive manufactures. 

11. New London lies on the Thames, and has a good harbor. It 
has a fine custom-house, and is extensively’engaged in whale-fish¬ 
ing and manufacturing. Other cities in this State are Middletown, 
Bridgeport, and Waterbury. 

Norwalk, Meriden, Stamford, Greenwich, New Britain, Winchester, 
Fairfield, and Stonington, are important towns. 

12. Education.—Yale College, at New Haven, is one of the 
oldest and most extensive institutions of learning in the United 
States. Trinity College is at Hartford, and the Wesleyan University 
at Middletown. There is a normal school under the patronage of 
the State at New Britain. The public-school fund is large, and the 
schools are numerous and efficient. There are also many superior 
private seminaries and academies. 


NEW YORK. 

Questions on Map No. 10, New York. —Bound New York. 
What islands off the southern point? What mountains in the north? 
In the east? Where is Mt. Marcy? What lakes in the northeast? 
What two great lakes in the west? Name three small lakes near 
the centre. Where is the Hudson River? Describe it. What 
affluent? Where is the St. Lawrence? The Oswego and Genesee? 
The Niagara River? What two rivers flow into Pennsylvania? 
Where are the Falls of Niagara? Trenton Falls? Where and what 
is the capital? Where is New York City? Brooklyn? Newburg? 


10. Norwich? 11. New London? Other cities? Other towns? 12. What 
colleges? What of normal and other schools? 





108 


THE UNITED STATES, 


Poughkeepsie? Hudson? Troy? Utica? Syracuse? Rochester? 
Buffalo? Oswego? Ogdensburg? Plattsburg? Saratoga? Sackett's 
Harbor ? 



FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK. 


1. Position and Extent.— New York lies west of Vermont, 
Massachusetts, and Connecticut: its length from east to west is 
about 330 miles, and its greatest breadth about 300 miles. Area, 
47,000 square miles. It includes Long Island and Staten Island in 
the southeast. It is the most populous and wealthy of the United 
States, and is sometimes called the Empire State. 

2. Natural Features.— Mountains. — The Adirondack, Cats- 
kill, Taconic, and Highlands, in the eastern part of the State, are 
an irregular chain of mountains, forming a part of the great Alle¬ 
ghany range. Mount Marcy, in the Adirondack, is the loftiest peak, 
5500 feet high, and is the highest land in the State. 

3. The western part spreads out into table-lands rising from Lake 
Ontario, and attaining their greatest elevation near the borders of 
Pennsylvania. 

New York.— 1. Where is New York ? Length and breadth ? Area? What 
does it include? What of its population and wealth? 2. What mountains? 
What is said of Mt. Marcy? 3. Of the surface in the west? 






































NEW YORK. 


109 


4. Lakes .—Lake Champlain lies between New York and Yer- 
mont: it is a beautiful sheet of water, studded with islands, and is* 
noted for a naval victory gained by MacDonough over the British, in 
1814. Near it is Lake George, celebrated for the beauty of its sce¬ 
nery. The great lakes Ontario and Erie are on the northern border, 
and in the interior are Lakes Oneida, Skaneateles ( skan-e-aVless ), 
Canandaigua, Cayuga, Seneca, Crooked, Chautauqua, and others. 

5. Rivers .—The principal rivers are the Hudson, which empties 
into the Atlantic Ocean, and is navigable 150 miles for large steamers; 
the St. Lawrence, on the north; Niagara, which connects Lake Erie 
with Lake Ontario; Genesee and Oswego, that flow into Lake Onta¬ 
rio; Mohawk, an affluent of the Hudson ; and Susquehanna and Dela¬ 
ware, that flow south into Pennsylvania. 

6. Soil and Climate .—The soil in the valleys and in the 
centre and western part is fertile and productive; the exception is in 
the hilly north. Great attention is given to agriculture, and locali¬ 
ties naturally unproductive are made by careful cultivation to yield 
excellent crops. The winters in the north are cold and severe. In 
the south, in consequence of its proximity to the sea, and in the west, 
owing to the southwest winds, the climate is much modified; it is in 
general healthy. 

7. Cataracts .—On Niagara River, between Lake Erie and Lake 
Ontario, is the famous cataract of Niagara; the vast body of water 
connecting these great lakes falls perpendicularly 160 feet, and is 
one of the wonders of the world. A short distance below the Falls 
a suspension bridge, 800 feet long, spans the river. Trenton Falls, 
near Utica, are beautiful and picturesque, and much visited by 
travellers. 

8. Products. —"Wheat and other grains, potatoes, apples, butter, 
cheese, wool, and salt, are important products. Iron ore is found, 
and in the manufacture of iron New York is second only to Pennsyl¬ 
vania. The manufactures of cotton and woollen are extensive. 

9. Population.— The inhabitants, chiefly of Dutch and English 
origin, number 3,881,000. 

4 What of Lake Champlain? Of Lake George? Of the great lakes? 
Of small lakes? 5 . Of Hudson River? St. Lawrence and others ? 6. Of the 

soil? Of the climate? 7 . Of Niagara Falls? Trenton Falls ? 8. What pro¬ 

ducts? What of iron and its manufacture? Other manufactures? 9. Popu¬ 
lation ? 


10 



110 


THE UNITED STATES, 


10*. Chief Towns. —Albany, the capital, is situated on the right 
bank of the Hudson, 145 miles from its mouth. It is a beautiful city, 
has a splendid State-House, and is the centre of considerable trade. 

New York, at the mouth of the Hudson, is the largest city in Ame¬ 
rica, and one of the finest in the world. It is the great mart of for¬ 
eign commerce of the United States, and has a vast inland trade. 
The public buildings are numerous and splendid, and many of the 
private dwellings rival the richest in Paris and London. 

Among the architectural adornments of this city are the Mer¬ 
chants’ Exchange, Custom-House, City Hall, Hall of the University, 
Astor Library, and many splendid churches and hotels. The Central 
Park, inclosing upwards of 800 acres, in the upper part of the city, 
is one of the finest pleasure-grounds in the world. 



VIEW IN CENTRAL PARK. 


Brooklyn, separated from New York by the East River, is the third 
c'.ty in population in the Union. 

10. What of the capital? Of New York? Public buildings? Other fine 
buildings ? Of the Central Park ? What of Brooklyn ? Buffalo ? Rochester 
and Syracuse? Troy and other towns ? What of Oswego, Utica, and Saratoga? 























NEW JERSEY. 


Ill 


Buffalo, on Lake Erie, is a large city, noted for its commerce, and 
for its trade in wheat and other produce. Rochester, in the interior, 
is noted for its rapid growth and its extensive manufactories of flour. 
Syracuse is remarkable for the most extensive and valuable salt-manu¬ 
factories in the United States. Troy is a fine city, on the Hudson, at 
the head of navigation; Newburg, Poughkeepsie ( po-kip'see ), Fishkill, 
Hudson, and Sing-Sing, also on the Hudson, are flourishing towns. 

Oswego, on Lake Ontario, is the centre of the commerce of the 
lake, and has a large trade. Utica, on the Mohawk River, 80 miles 
west of Albany, is a fine city. At Saratoga and Ballston are celebrated 
mineral springs. 

11. Educa¬ 
tion. — There 
are many insti¬ 
tutions of learn¬ 
ing. Among 
these are Co¬ 
lumbia College, 
the University 
of New York, 
and the Free 
Academy, in 
New York City; view on the Hudson—west point. 

there are col¬ 
leges at Schenectady ( slcen-ek'ta-de ), Hamilton, Clinton, Geneva, 
Rochester, and Fordham, and a State Normal School at Albany. 
The United States Military Academy is at West Point. 

A superior school system of a high grade prevails throughout the 
State, and every desirable facility seems to be afforded for popular 
education. 



NEW JERSEY. 

Questions on Map No. 10, New Jersey.— Bound New Jersey. 
Where is Delaware Bay? What cape on the coast? On what bay 


11 What institutions of learning in New ^ ork City ? 11 hero i)re other col¬ 

leges? Normal school? United States Military Academy? What of tho 
school system ? 




112 


THE UNITED STATES. 


is it ? What mountains in the north ? What river is its western 
boundary? Describe Delaware River. What river forms a part of 
its eastern boundary? Name other rivers. What and where is the 
capital? Where is Jersey City? Newark? Elizabeth? Princeton? 
Burlington? Camden? Glassboro? Salem? Bridgeton? Mill' 
ville? Cape Island City? Atlantic City? Long Branch? 

1. Position and Extent. —New Jersey lies south of New York, 
and borders on the Atlantic Ocean. Its length is about 160 miles, 
and its average breadth about 60 miles. Area, 8320 square miles. 

2. Natural Features.— Mountains. —The northern part of the 
State is hilly and mountainous. Several parallel ranges of the Al¬ 
leghany Mountains cross from Pennsylvania to New York, of which 
the Blue Mountains and Schooley's Mountain are the principal. 

3. The middle and southern part is an extended plain. The 
coast-line is long; but, owing to the shifting sands, there are few 
good harbors. 

4. Rivers. —The Delaware River separates this State from Penn¬ 
sylvania ; the other principal rivers are the Hudson, Passaic, Hack¬ 
ensack, and Raritan, in the north, and Maurice and Great Egg Harbor 
River, in the south. 

5. Soil and Climate. —The soil in the north is well adapted to 
grazing. The central part is the most productive, and forms a vast 
market-garden for the cities of New York and Philadelphia; the 
south is not naturally fertile, but is made productive by the applica¬ 
tion of marl found in the neighborhood. The climate in the north is 
much colder than at the south, where the influence of the ocean is felt. 

6. Products. —Wheat, rye, oats, Indian corn, buckwheat, pota¬ 
toes, apples, peaches, and garden vegetables are the chief products 
of the soil. The minerals are iron, zinc, sand for glass-making, 
and marl. The manufactures are extensive, and include iron, iron 
castings, cotton, woollen, porcelain, and glass. 

7. Population. —The people are chiefly descendants of the ori¬ 
ginal Dutch, Swedish, and English settlers. They number 672,000. 

8. Chief Towns. —Trenton, on the left^bank of the Delaware, is 

New Jersey.— 1. Where is New Jersey? Length and breadth? Area? 
2. What mountains? 3. Of the surface? Of the coast-line? 4. Of the 
rivers? 5. Soil? Climate? 6. Products ? Minerals? Manufactures? 7. 
Population? 8. Capital? For what noted? What further is said of it? 



NEW JERSEY. 


113 


the capital. It is noted for the capture of the Hessians by Wash¬ 
ington in 1776. It is a flourishing city, and has a fine State-IIouse 
and many other handsome buildings. It is largely engaged in manu¬ 
factures, particularly of iron and porcelain. 

9. Newark, on Passaic River, is the largest city; it is 10 miles 
from New York, and is noted for its manufactures. Paterson, on 
the* same river, is famed for its beautiful cataract, the Falls of the 
Passaic, and for its extensive manufactures. 

10. Jersey City, Camden, Elizabeth, Orange, New Brunswick, 
Burlington, Salem, and Glassboro, are important towns. Cape May, 
Long Branch, and Atlantic City are celebrated watering-places. 



COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY, PRINCETON. 

11. Education. —The College of New Jersey, at Princeton, Rut¬ 
gers College, at New Brunswick, and Burlington College, at Bur¬ 
lington, are the chief seats of learning. At Trenton is a large normal 
school, which is liberally supported by the State. A well-organized 
public-school system is in successful operation. 

9. Of Newark and Paterson? 10. Other towns? Watering-places? 11. 
Colleges? Normal school, Ac.? 











114 


THE UNITED STATES. 



RITTENHOUSE SQUARE, PHILADELPHIA. 


PENNSYLVANIA. 

Questions on Map No. 10, Pennsylvania.— Bound Pennsyl¬ 
vania. What lake in the northwest ? What island in Lake Erie ? 
Where is South Mt. ? Where are the Blue Mts. ? Bald Eagle Mts. ? 
Alleghany Mts. ? Where is Laurel Ridge ? Chestnut Ridge ? What 
river between Pennsylvania and New Jersey? Principal affluents? 
What river rises in New York, and flows through the State into 
Chesapeake Bay in Maryland ? Name its principal affluents. What 
two rivers in the west unite and form the Ohio ? Describe the Alle¬ 
ghany. The Monongahela. Where is the oil-region? What and 
where is the capital? Where is Philadelphia? Pittsburgh? Alle¬ 
ghany? Birmingham? Pottsville? Scranton? Mauch Chunk? 
Carbondale? Pittston? Wilkesbarre? Reading? Lancaster? Erie? 
Meadville ? Oil City? Titusville? Washington? Carlisle? Gettys¬ 
burg? Bedford? Huntingdon? Butler? Williamsport? 






PENNSYLVANIA. 


115 


1. Position and Extent. —Pennsylvania lies south of New York 
and west of New Jersey. Its length is 310 miles, and its width 160 
mileo. Area, 46,000 square miles. 

2. Natural Features.— Mountains. —Several ranges of the 
great Alleghany chain traverse the State from northeast to south¬ 
west: they are the South Mountain, Blue Mountains, Alleghany 
proper, Chestnut and Laurel Ridges. The two last are the loftiest in 
Pennsylvania, and attain a height of 3000 feet. These mountains 
enclose fertile valleys, sometimes extending 20 to 30 miles in width. 

3. Lakes. —Lake Erie, on the northwest, borders on the State a 
distance of 45 miles: there is a fine harbor at Erie, by which com¬ 
munication is had with all the great upper lakes. 

4. Rivers. —The principal rivers in the east are the Delaware 
and Susquehanna. The Delaware rises in New York, and flows 
into Delaware Bay. It is the eastern boundary of the State. Its 
two principal affluents are the Lehigh and Schuylkill. It is navi¬ 
gable for the largest ships to Philadelphia, and for steamboats to 
Trenton, New Jersey, 30 miles beyond. 

The Susquehanna rises in New York, receives in Pennsylvania 
the waters of the West Branch and Juniata, and flows through the 
State into Chesapeake Bay, in Maryland. In the west, the Alle¬ 
ghany and Monongahela Rivers, both navigable for 60 miles, unite 
at Pittsburgh and form the Ohio. 

5. Soil and Climate. —The soil in the valleys is rich and pro¬ 
ductive ; that in most of the mountainous districts is well adapted 
to grazing. The climate is variable but healthy: in the west it is 
somewhat milder in winter than in the east. 

6. Products. —The principal products are wheat, Indian corn, 

and other grains, hay, fruits, and tobacco. The vast anthracite coal¬ 
fields, in the northeast part of the State, are the richest and most 
extensive in the world. The bituminous coal-fields, in the west, 
and those in the north, are rich and apparently inexhaustible. 
These mines are worked with great energy, and are exceedingly 
productive. __ 

Pennsylvania.— 1. Where is Pennsylvania? Length and breadth? Area? 

2. Of the mountains ? Which the highest? How high ? What cf valleys ? 

3. What lako? 4. What of the Delaware River? Of the Susquehanna? 

What rivers in the west? 5. Soil? Climato? 6. Products? What of the 
coal-fields? What of petroleum ? 



116 


THE UNITED STATES. 


Petroleum 
has been lately 
developed in 
the west: thou¬ 
sands of wells 
have been open¬ 
ed, which are 
yielding great 
quantities of 
oil. 

7. Manufac¬ 
tures.— Penn¬ 
sylvania ranks 
third among the 
States in varie¬ 
ty and extent 
of manufac¬ 
tures. Nearly 
one-half of all 
the iron made 
in the United 
States is pro¬ 
duced here. The 

other manufactures are principally of cotton, wool, pig iron, castings, 
nails, and paper. 

8. Population. —The first settlers of Pennsylvania were Swedes, 
English Quakers, and Germans. In some parts the German lan¬ 
guage is spoken. Population, 2,906,000. 

9. Chief Towns. —Harrisburg, the capital, is situated on the east 
bank of the Susquehanna, and is surrounded by magnificent scenery. 
It has a fine State-House, and is an important railroad centre. 

10. Philadelphia, the largest city in the State, and the second in 
population in the United States, is situated on the right bank of the 
Delaware River, and on both banks of the Schuylkill, 96 miles from 
the sea. It was settled and laid out by William Penn. It is noted 
for the important part it took in the Revolutionary War. The De- 

7 . What of manufactures? Of iron? Other manufactures? 8. Population ? 
9. What of the capital? 10. Philadelphia, how situated? By whom settled 
and laid out? For what noted ? What of the public buildings? Trade, &c. ? 



OIL-WELLS. 








PENNSYLVANIA. 


117 


claration of Independence was signed here, and first promulgated to 
the people from the State-House, which is still standing in a good 
state of preservation. 

The public buildings of Philadelphia are numerous and splendid. 
Girard College is one of the finest specimens of Grecian architecture 
now in existence. Other notable buildings are the Custom-House, 
the United States Mint, the Exchange, a magnificent Cathedral, many 
splendid churches, and extensive hotels. Philadelphia has an im¬ 
mense trade, considerable foreign commerce, and extensive railroad 
communication with the West and South. Its manufactures exceed 
those of any other city in the United States. 

11. Pittsburgh, at the junction of the Monongahela and Alle¬ 
ghany Rivers, is the second city in the State. It has a large trade, 
and is noted for its commerce and its vast manufactures of iron. 
Alleghany City and Birmingham are connected with Pittsburgh by 
bridges. 



PITTSBURGH. 


11 What of Pittsburgh? How connected by bridges? Of Reading and 
Lancaster? Of towns in the coal-region ? Other towns ? What of Erie? Nor¬ 
ristown ? Bedford ? 





118 


THE UNITED STATES. 


Reading, on the Schuylkill River, is the third city in the State, 
and is noted for its iron manufactures. Lancaster, formerly the 
largest inland town in the United States, now the fourth city of Penn¬ 
sylvania, is situated in a populous and wealthy agricultural district. 

Pottsville, Scranton, Wilkesbarre, and Carbondale are flourishing 
towns in the coal-region. Easton, Allentown, York, Chambersburg, 
Oil City, and Titusville are important places. 

Erie has a fine harbor on Lake Erie, and direct railroad commu¬ 
nication with the great cities east and west. Norristown is noted 
for its manufactures. There are mineral springs at Bedford. 

12. Education.— The principal institutions of learning in Phila¬ 
delphia are the University of Pennsylvania, Girard College, Poly¬ 
technic College, Boys’ High School, and several eminent medical 
schools. There are colleges at Carlisle, Canonsburg, Washington, 
Easton, Gettysburg, Lancaster, Lewisburg, and Meadville. There 
are several normal schools, and the school system of the State is well 
organized and prosperous. 


DELAWARE. 

Questions on Map No. 10, Delavrare. —Bound Delaware. 

What bay on the east? What bay south of Delaware Bay? What 
cape on the coast? What large river flows into Delaware Bay? 
What creek in the north ? What creek flows into Delaware Bay ? 
What and where is the capital? Where is Wilmington? New 
Castle? Delaware City? Smyrna? Georgetown? Lewes? 

1. Position and Extent. —Delaware lies south of Pennsylvania 
and east of Maryland. It is about 96 miles long, by 37 at its great¬ 
est breadth. It is the smallest State in the Union, except Rhode 
Island. Area, 2120 square miles. 

2. Natural Features. — Surface .—The surface of the State is 
generally level. The coast is deficient in good harbors. Delaware 
Bay and Delaware River bound it on the east; the principal streams 
are Brandywine and Christiana Creeks. 

12. What institutions of learning in Philadelphia? Where are other col¬ 
leges? What of normal schools, Ac. ? Delaavare.— 1. Where is Delaware? 
Length and breadth ? Area? 2. Surface? What on the east? Other streams? 






DELAWARE. 


m 



3. Soil and Climate .—The soil is good in the north and on 
the shores of the Delaware, but in the south it is sandy, and in 
places swampy. It is industriously cultivated. The climate in the 
northern part is sometimes severe in winter, but in the south it is 
rendered much milder by the influence of the sea. 

4. Products. 

—The chief pro* 
ducts are Indian 
corn, wheat, gar¬ 
den vegetables, 
and numerous 
fruits, of which 
the peach is espe¬ 
cially noted for 
its 

and abundance. 

5. Popula¬ 
tion.— The ori¬ 
ginal settlers 
were Swedes, 

Finns, and Eng¬ 
lish, but there 
have been other 
elements intro¬ 
duced by immi¬ 
gration. Population, 112,000. 
the people. 

6. Chief Towns. —Dover, the capital, is situated on Jones’s 
Creek: it contains a handsome State-House. 

Wilmington, the chief city, is beautifully situated between Chris¬ 
tiana and Brandywine Creeks, near their junction: it is noted for 
its manufactures of gunpowder, cotton, woollen, machinery, and 
paper. There is also considerable ship-building. 

7. New Castle, Smyrna, and Georgetown are important places. 
Lewes, on Delaware Bay, was settled in 1630, and is the oldest 
town in the State. Near Lewes is the Delaware Breakwater, built 


AGRICULTURE. 


Agriculture is the chief pursuit of 


3. What of the soil ? Climate? 4. Products? 5. Population? 6. What 
of the capital ? Of Wilmington ? 7. New Castle, and other towns? Lewes? 
What near Lewes ? 




120 


THE UNITED STATES. 


by the United States Government to protect vessels in stress of 
weather. 

8. Education.—The principal collegiate institutions are Dela¬ 
ware College, at Newark, and St. Mary’s, at Wilmington. There 
are many excellent academies and schools. 


MARYLAND. 

Questions on Map No. 11, Maryland. —Bound Maryland, 
What great bay in Maryland ? Where is Kent Island ? What 
mountains pass through the State? What river is the southern 
boundary? What other rivers flow into Chesapeake Bay on the 
west and north? What on the east? What and where is the 
capital? Where is Baltimore? Elkton? Easton? Cambridge? 
Frederick ? Hagerstown ? Cumberland ? What district on the Po¬ 
tomac ? What city in that district ? What town ? 

1. Position and Extent. —Maryland lies south of Pennsylvania 
and west of Delaware; its extreme length is 196 miles, and its ex¬ 
treme width 120 miles, although at one point its width does not 
exceed 5 miles. Area, 9356 square miles. 

2. Natural Features.— Mo untain s. —The northwest is rugged 
and mountainous. The South Mountain and other ranges of the 
Alleghanies cross it from Pennsylvania to Virginia. 

Chesapeake Bay extends from the south to near the northern 
boundary, and almost separates the State into two parts. It is 200 
miles long, and is navigable throughout. That part of the State 
lying east of Chesapeake Bay is called the Eastern Shore. 

3. Rivers. —The principal rivers, all of which flow into Chesa¬ 
peake Bay, are the Susquehanna, Patapsco, Patuxent, and Potomac. 

4. Soil and Climate .—The soil on the Eastern Shore, and on a 
tract around Chesapeake Bay in the west, is not naturally productive, 
but by careful cultivation those sections have been made the great 
tobacco-region of the State. The valleys in the interior and at the 

8. What of education ? Maryland.— 1. Where is it? Length and breadth? 
Area? 2. Mountains? Chesapeake Bay? Eastern Shore? 3. Name the 
rivers. 4. Soil? Climate? 





MARYLAND. 121 

north are extremely productive. The climate is temperate and 
healthy, except along the low lands bordering on the bay. 

5. Products.—Maryland is a great tobacco-growing State. Wheat 
and Indian corn are also staples. The manufactures of cotton, wool¬ 
len, iron, leather, and flour, are extensive. Coal and iron are abun¬ 
dant in the interior. 

6. Population. —The original colony was founded by Lord Balti¬ 
more, and consisted mainly of English Roman Catholics. The present 
population numbers 687,000. 

7. Chief Towns. —Annapolis is the capital; it is the seat of St. 
John’s College. 

8. Baltimore, on a branch of the Patapsco, is the largest city in 
the State, and the fourth in population in the Union. It contains a 
fine monument to Washington, the column of which is 180 feet in 
height, and another to commemorate the repulse of the British at 
the battle of North Point, in 1814. It is frequently called the Monu- 


VIEW ON THE BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROAD. 


6. Products? Manufactures? Minerals? 6. Population? 7. What of 
Annapolis? 8. Of Baltimore? What does it contain? Of its foreign and 
inland trade, Ac. 





122 


THE UNITED STATES 


mental City. Baltimore has an extensive foreign and inland trade, 
and is the largest tobacco-market in the world. It has great railroad 
facilities with the West, North, and South, and many splendid edi¬ 
fices, among which are the Homan Catholic Cathedral, the Maryland 
Institute, and the Exchange. 

9. Cumberland is an important coal depot on the Potomac. Elkton, 
Cambridge, and Easton are the principal towns on the Eastern Shore. 
Frederick and Hagerstown are important places in the interior. 

10. Education.—There are three colleges at Baltimore; Mount 
St. Mary's College is at Emmittsburgh, and Washington College at 
Chestertown. The school system is excellent; instruction is nearly 
free. There are also numerous private seminaries of the very best 
character. 


DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 



PATENT OFFICE, WASHINGTON. 


9. Cumberland? Elkton, Cambridge, and Easton? Frederick and Hagers¬ 
town? 10. Education? Schools? 
























VIRGINIA. 


123 


1. Position and Extent. —The District of Columbia lies on the 
Potomac River, about 110 miles from its mouth, and was formerly 
a part of Maryland. It is 10 miles long. Area, 60 square miles. 
This tract of territory contains the seat of government of the United 
States, and is subject to the jurisdiction of Congress. 

2. Chief Towns. —Washington City, the capital of the United 
States, is the chief city. It was laid out by the “ Father of his 
country,” whose name it bears, and became the seat of govern¬ 
ment in 1800. 

It is a splendid city, adorned with some of the grandest specimens 
of architecture in the world. The Capitol is a magnificent structure, 
of white marble and freestone, more than 700 feet in length, and sur¬ 
mounted by a lofty dome. The Smithsonian Institution, the Presi¬ 
dent’s House, the Patent Office, the Treasury, and others, rival in 
splendor the finest buildings in the Old World. Population, in 1804, 
estimated at 75,000. 

3. Georgetown, the only other town in the District of Columbia, 
lies on the Potomac, and is separated from Washington by Rock 
Creek. It is a handsome city, and is noted for its literary advan¬ 
tages and its polite society. At Georgetown are Georgetown College 
and numerous flourishing academies. 


VIRGINIA. 

Questions on Map No. 11, Virginia.— Bound Virginia. What 
bay on the east? What capes at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay? 
What three ranges of mountains in Virginia? Which is the most 
easterly? Next? Name the four principal rivers that flow into 
Chesapeake Bay. What river between the Blue Ridge and Shenan¬ 
doah Mountains flows into the Potomac? What is the principal 
affluent of the Rappahannock ? What two rivers form the Pamun- 
kcy? What is the chief affluent of the James? In what county 
and in what part of the State is the Natural Bridge? Where and 
what is the capital? Where is Norfolk? Petersburg? Alexandria? 

District op Columbia.— 1. Whore is it? Length? Area? What does it 
contain ? 2. What is said of Washington City? What of tho Capitol ? Other 
buildings ? Population ? 3. What of Georgetown ? 





124 


THE UNITED STATES. 


Fredericksburg? Lynchburg? Staunton ( star/tun )? Winchester? 
Charlottesville ? 

1. Position and Extent. —Virginia lies south and west of Mary¬ 
land: its greatest length from east to west is 425 miles; its extreme 
breadth from north to south, 210 miles. Area, 41,352 square miles. 

2. Natural Features.— Mountains .— 
Three ranges of the great Alleghany chain 
of mountains traverse the State from north¬ 
east to southwest. The most easterly is the 
Blue Ridge, next the Shenandoah Moun¬ 
tains, and on and near its western bound¬ 
ary the Alleghany proper. These moun¬ 
tains enclose fertille valleys. East of the 
Blue Ridge the surface is hilly. 

In the southeast are extensive swamps. 
The Dismal Swamp is the largest, and ex¬ 
tends into North Carolina; it is about 30 
miles long by 12 broad. In the centre of 
this swamp is Lake Drummond, covering 
an area of nearly 6 square miles. 

Chesapeake Bay is in the eastern part; 
it opens into the ocean in the southeast, and 
extends north into Maryland. 

3. Rivers .—The principal rivers are 
the Potomac, Rappahannock, York, and 
James, all flowing into Chesapeake Bay. 

The Potomac bounds Virginia on the north, and is navigable to 
Washington City, 100 miles; its principal affluent is the Shenandoah 
River. The Rappahannock flows nearly parallel with the Potomac, 
and is navigable for steamers to Fredericksburg; its principal afflu¬ 
ent is the Rapidan. 

The York is formed by the junction of the Mattapony and the 
Pamunkey, and is navigable its whole length, about 40 miles. The 
James rises in the Alleghany Mountains, and has for its principal 

Virginia.—1. Where is it? Length and breadth? Area? 2. Mountains? 
What do they enclose? Surface east of the Blue Ridge, &c.? Swamps? Dis¬ 
mal Swamp? Chesapeake Bay? 3. Rivers? What of the Potomac? Rappa¬ 
hannock? York? James? 





and cotton, are 'the principal products. There are extensive mines 
of coal and iron. Copper, lead, gold, and marble are found. 

4. Soil? Shenandoah Valley? Climate? 5. What of the Natural Bridge ? 
Other curiosities? 6. Products? Minerals? 

11 « 


VIRGINIA. 125 

affluent the Appomattox. It is navigable for steamers to Rich¬ 
mond, 100 miles. 

4. Soil and Cl im at e .—That part of Virginia east of the Blue 
Ridge, except along the banks of the rivers, is sandy, but with care¬ 
ful cultivation produces good crops. On the borders of the rivers 
great quantities of tobacco are raised. The Shenandoah Valley is 
rich and productive, and is the chief granary of the State. The 
climate in the low lands is warm, but in general throughout the 
State it is salubrious and delightful. 

5. Curiosities .—The Natural Bridge, in Rockbridge county, 
is one of the most remarkable natural arches in the world; it spans 
a chasm 215 feet deep and 90 feet wide over Cedar Creek. Weir's 
Cave and Madison’s Cave, in Augusta county, and the Blowing Cave, 
in Bath county, are great curiosities, and much visited by travellers. 

6. Products. —Wheat, Indian corn, and other grains, tobacco, 


RICHMOND. 



126 


THE UNITED STATES. 


7? Population. —The people are to a great extent descendants of the 
original English settlers. There are many negroes. Total, 1,247,000. 

8. Chief Towns. —Richmond, the capital, is situated on the left 
hank of the James River, at the lower falls, 100 miles from its mouth. 
It contains a large and imposing State-House, in the centre of a park 
of eight acres, and has many other handsome buildings. The Falls 
of the James furnish immense water-power: there are numerous 
manufactories of flour and cotton, as well as rolling-mills, forges, 
and more than 50 tobacco-factories. Important railroads, extending 
north, south, east, and west, centre here. 

Norfolk, on Elizabeth River, the second city in the State, has a 
fine harbor, and is noted for its commerce: it has an elegant custom¬ 
house and a city hall. Petersburg, 22 miles south of Richmond, the 
third city in Virginia, is noted for its exports of tobacco and flour. 
Alexandria, Fredericksburg, Lynchburg, and Staunton are import¬ 
ant towns. Mount Vernon, 15 miles below Washington, on the Poto¬ 
mac River, was the residence of Washington, and contains his tomb. 

There are numerous mineral, sulphur, and alum springs, much 
resorted to by invalids. 

9. Education. —The University of Virginia is at Charlottesville. 
There are colleges at Richmond, Williamsburg, Prince Edward, 
Washington County, and Lexington. 


WEST VIRGINIA. 

Questions on Map No. 11, West Virginia. —Bound West Vir¬ 
ginia. What mountains ? What two rivers form its western bound¬ 
ary? Into what does the Big Sandy flow? What other rivers flow 
into the Ohio ? What and where is the capital ? Where is Charles¬ 
ton? Parkersburg? Point Pleasant? Clarksburg? Romney? 
Philippa? Buckhannon? Beverly? Martinsburg? Harper’s Ferry ? 

1. Position and Extent. —West Virginia lies south of Penn- 

7. Population? 8. What is said of Richmond? What of the Falls of the 
James? Railroads, <&c.? Norfolk? Petersburg? Other important towns ? 
What of Mount Vernon ? Springs? 9. Education? West Virginia.— 1. Where 
is it? Length and breadth ? Area? What of West Virginia? Of the north- 




WEST VIRGINIA. 


127 



sylvania and west of Virginia. Its extreme length is about 250 
miles, and its extreme breadth 170 miles. Area, 20,000 square miles. 

West Virginia was formerly a part of Virginia, and was separated 
from it by an Act of Congress in 1862, and organized as a State, in 
1863. The northwestern strip extending north, and lying between 
Pennsylvania and Ohio, is called the “ Pan-handle.” 

2. Natural Features. — Mountains .—The Alleghany Mountains 
are on the eastern boundary. The surface in the east is generally 
hilly and broken, sloping gradually towards the west, where it is 
quite level. 

3. Rivers .—The Ohio and Big Sandy form its western boundary. 
The Big Sandy, Kanawha (Jcah-naio'icah), and Guyandotte ( ghi-an- 
dot'), each navigable for more than 50 miles, flow north into the 
Ohio River. 


WHEELING. 


4. Soil and Climate .—The soil is generally productive and well 
adapted to grain or grazing. The climate is temperate and healthy. 

5. Products. —Indian corn, wheat, and tobacco are the principal 


west strip? 2. Mountains? Surface? 3. Rivers? 4. Soil? Climate? 5. Products? 




128 


THE UNITED STATES. 


agricultural products. There are extensive mines of coal and iron, 
and numerous salt springs. Petroleum is obtained. 

6. Population. —The inhabitants are of English descent, -with, 
many emigrants from other States. They number 350,000. 

7. Chief Towns.— Wheeling, the capital, lies on the left bank 
of the Ohio, on a narrow tract between the river and a range of high 
hills. It has a large river commerce, extensive manufactures, and 
is an important railroad centre. A suspension bridge here spans 
the Ohio. 

Charleston, Parkersburg, Point Pleasant, and Clarksburg are 
important towns. Romney, Philippa, Buckhannon, Beverly, Har¬ 
per’s Ferry, and Martinsburg are noted places. 

8. Education. —There is a college at Bethany, Brooke county. 
This new State is making good progress in the organization of an 
effective school system. 


NORTH CAROLINA. 

Questions on Map No. 11, North Carolina. —Bound North 

Carolina. What two large sounds on the coast ? What three capes ? 
What islands? What mountains in North Carolina? Ans. The 
Alleghany Range. Give some of the local names of these mountains. 
Where is White Top Peak? Mitchell’s Peak? Buckley’s Peak? 
What rivers empty into Albemarle Sound ? Into Pam / lico Sound ? 
What large river flows south into the Atlantic Ocean ? What two 
rivers flow into South Carolina ? What and where is the capital ? 
Where is Wilmington? Newbern? Fayetteville? Salisbury [sawlz'- 
her-re ) ? Elizabeth ? 

1. Position and Extent.— North Carolina lies south of Virginia, 
and borders on the Atlantic Ocean; its extreme length is 420 miles, 
and its extreme breadth 180 miles. Area, 45,000 square miles. It 
is frequently called the Old North State, as South Carolina lies upon 
its southern border. 


6. Population? 7. What of Wheeling? Important towns? Noted places? 
8. Education? North Carolina.— 1 . Where is it? Length and breadth? 
Area ? What is it frequently called ? 




NORTH CAROLINA. 


129 



2 Mountains? Names? What lofty peak ? How high? What the western 
boundary? Surface? 3. Coast-lino? What sounds? 4. Rivers? 


3. Coast-lin e .—The coast-line is long and deeply indented. There 
are two large shallow sounds, Albemarle and Pamlico, which are 
cut off from the ocean by long, narrow, shifting sand islands, through 
which there are constantly changing inlets to the sea. 

4. Rivers. _The principal rivers arc Chowan ( cko-wavm') and 


2. Natural Features.— Mountains .—Several parallel ranges 
of the Alleghany chain traverse the western part of the State ; they 
are known by different names, as the Alleghany proper, Stone Moun¬ 
tains, Iron Mountains, Bald Mountains, Blue Ridge, and others. 
There are more than 12 peaks upwards of G000 feet in height,— 
among which are Buckley, Clingman, Guyot, and Mitchell. Buckley, 
the loftiest, is G775 feet high, and is the highest land east of the 
Mississippi River. One of these ranges forms the western boundary 
of the State. 

The surface further east and in the centre is hilly ; on and near 
the coast it is low and level. 


PINE FOREST IN NORTH CAROLINA. 



130 


THE UNITED STATES. 


Roanoke, flowing into Albemarle Sound; Tar and Neuse, flowing 
into Pamlico Sound; Cape Fear, the largest river in the State, flow¬ 
ing into the Atlantic Ocean; and Yadkin and Catawba, flowing south 
into South Carolina. 

5. Soil and Climate .—In the sandy section on the coast, ex¬ 
tending inland more than 50 miles, are extensive forests of pitch 
pine, valuable for its lumber, tar, and turpentine: the interior is 
fertile and productive. The climate in the low lands is hot and un¬ 
healthy in summer; in the middle and west it is temperate and 
healthy. 

6. Products.— Indian corn, tobacco, sweet potatoes, rice, and 
cotton, are staples. Other products are lumber, tar, pitch, and 
turpentine. Coal, copper, and gold are found. 

7. Population. —The white population is chiefly of English and 
Irish descent. There are many negroes. Total, 993,000. 

8. Chief Towns. —Raleigh, the capital, is near the Neuse River, 
and is an elevated and healthy city. The State-House is one of the 
largest and most splendid capitols in the United States. Raleigh is 
an important railroad centre. 

Wilmington, the chief city, on Cape Fear River, 35 miles from its 
mouth, has a large coastwise export trade, and considerable foreign 
commerce. 

Newbern, Fayetteville, Salisbury, Charlotte, Elizabeth, and Beau¬ 
fort ( bu'furt ), are flourishing towns. 

9. Education. —The University of North Carolina is at Chapel 
Hill, near Raleigh. There are colleges at Forestville and in Meck¬ 
lenburg county, more than 4000 public schools, sustained by State 
funds and taxation, and numerous flourishing private academies. 


SOUTH CAROLINA. 

Questions on Map No. 12, South Carolina.— Bound South 
Carolina. What bays on the coast? What sound? What cape? 
What islands ? What mountains in the northwest ? What river forms 
its southwest boundary ? What other rivers flow into the Atlantic 

5. Soil ? Climate ? 6. Products ? 7. Population ? 8. What of Raleigh ? 

Wilmington? Other towns? 9. Education? 





SOUTH CAROLINA. 


131 



Ocean ? What and where is the capital ? How is Charleston situ¬ 
ated ? What forts before Charleston ? Where is Camden ? Green 
ville ? Hamburg ? Cheraw ? Aiken ? Branchville ? 


CUSTOM-HOUSE, CHARLESTON. 

1. Position and Extent.— South Carolina lies south of North 
Carolina, and borders on the Atlantic Ocean on the east. Its ex¬ 
treme length and breadth are each about 210 miles. Area, 24,500 
square miles. North and South Carolina originally formed one 
colony, but were divided in 1729. 

2. Natural Features. — Mountains .—The Blue Ridge Moun¬ 
tains are on the northwest boundary, where they attain a height of 
4000 feet. The surface falls gradually from this elevation to the 
low lands near the sea. 

3. Coast-line .—The coast presents numerous bays, inlets, and 
shallow sounds, and but few good harbors. A number of low islands 
skirt the coast. 

4. Rivers .—The principal navigable rivers are the Great Pedee, 

Bouth Carolina. —1. Where is it? Length and breadth? Area? 2. Moun¬ 
tains? Surface? 3. Coast-line ? 4. Rivers? Affluents? Other rivers ? 







132 


THE UNITED STATES. 


Santee, and Savannah, all flowing into the Atlantic Ocean. The 
Little Pedee is an affluent of the Great Pedee, the Saluda, Congaree, 

and Broad of 
the Santee,and 
the Tugaloo of 
the Savannah. 
The Edisto, 
Combahee, 
Cooper, and 
Ashley, also 
flow into the 
Atlantic, and 
are navigable 
for only very 
small craft. 

5. Soil and 
Climate .— 
The soil in the. 
interior is rich 
and product¬ 
ive ; that upon 

the islands near the coast produces the famous sea-island cotton, 
which grows only here and on the islands near the coast of Georgia 
and Florida. The rice-fields, on the swampy lands, seem to be 
exhaustless. The climate in the low lands is moist and often un¬ 
healthy in summer; in the interior and more elevated parts it is 
salubrious and delightful. 

6. Products. —Cotton is the great staple of the State. Bice is an 
important product; Indian corn, wheat, oats, tobacco, and sweet 
potatoes are the other chief products. 

7. Population. —The white population is principally of English 
and French descent. There are many negroes. Total, 704,000. 

8. Chief Towns. —Columbia, the capital, is situated on an ele¬ 
vation near the left bank of the Congaree River. It is handsomely 
laid out, with wide streets, and has many fine buildings. The new 
State-House is a magnificent structure. 

Charleston, the largest city in South Carolina, lies at the junction 

5. Soil? Rice-fields? Climate? 6. Products? 7. Population? 8. What 
of Columbia? Of Charleston? Other towns? 



RICE PLANTATION. 








GEORGIA. 133 

of the Cooper and Ashley Rivers, 7 miles from the ocean. It is the 
principal seaport of the State, and has considerable commerce. 

Camden, Greenville, Hamburg, Georgetown, Cheraw, Beaufort, 
and Aiken are considerable towns. 

9. Education.—South Carolina College, at Columbia, is a State 
institution, and has a library of 25,000 volumes. There are colleges 
also at Charleston, Greenville, and Newberry. The State makes a 
handsome annual appropriation for public schools, and there are 
numerous academies and private schools. 


GEORGIA. 

Questions on Map No. 12, Georgia. —Bound Georgia. What 
sounds on the coast ? What islands ? What mountains in the north ? 
What river forms a part of its northeastern boundary? A part of 
its western ? What rivers flow into the Atlantic Ocean ? What into 
Florida? Where is the Okefinokee Swamp? Where and what is the 
capital ? Where is Savannah ? Augusta ? Darien ? Brunswick ? 
St. Mary’s? Macon? Atlanta? Columbus? Rome? Amcricus? 
Andersonville ? 

1. Position and Extent. —Georgia lies south of North and South 
Carolina and Tennessee; its extreme length is 320 miles, and its 
extreme breadth 254 miles. Area, 58,000 square miles. 

2. Natural Features.— Mountains. —The Blue Ridge and 
other ranges of the Alleghany chain traverse the northwest part 
of the State; from these mountains the surface falls towards the 
centre, where it is an undulating plain, elevated about 500 feet 
above the level of the sea; from this plain it descends gradually to 
the coast, where it is low and level. 

3. Coast-line. —The coast-line extends about 100 miles, and is 
skirted by numerous low islands, leaving but four navigable entrances 
or harbors, viz., at Savannah, Darien, Brunswick, and St. Mary’s. 

In the southeast is an extensive swamp, called Okefinokee Sw*imp ; 
it has a circuit of 180 miles. 

9. Education ? About public schools ? Georgia.— 1. Where is it? Length 
ami breadth? Area? 2. Mountains? Surface? 3. Coast-lino? What in tho 
southeast ? 


12 




134 


THE UNITED STATES. 


4. Rivers .—The Savannah River separates Georgia from South 
Carolina, and flows into the Atlantic Ocean; it is navigable for 
steamers to Augusta. The Chattahoochee is for some distance the 
western boundary: it unites with the Flint River, and forms the 
Appalachicola, which flows into Florida. The other principal rivers 
are the Ogeechee, Cannouchee, and Altamaha, all flowing into the 
Atlantic Ocean, and navigable for a considerable distance by steamers. 



CITY OF SAVANNAH. 


b. Soil and Climate .—The soil is generally fertile, but parti¬ 
cularly rich in the valleys, in the low lands on the coast, and in the 
islands adjacent. These islands produce the choice sea-island cotton. 
About 60 miles from the sea is an extensive region of pine forest, 
valuable for its timber. The climate in the north and centre is mild 
and salubrious; in the south and on the coast it is warm, and in 
summer hot and unhealthy. 

6. Curiosities .—Among the mountains are some beautiful cas¬ 
cades, of which the Falls of Tallu'lah and Toco / a are the principal. 
The Stone Mountain, in De Kalb county, is a great curiosity. There 
are Indian mounds of an unknown antiquity. 

7. Products.—The chief products are cotton, rice, Indian corn, 

4. Rivers? Other rivers? 5. Soil? What of the islands? About pine 
forests ? Climate ? 6. Curiosities ? 7. Products ? Manufactories ? 





FLORIDA. 


135 


and sweet potatoes. Iron, coal, gold, and granite are found. Lum¬ 
ber and naval stores are produced. There are some manufactories 
of cotton, iron, and machinery. 

8. Population.— The original settlers were principally English 
Methodists and Scotch Highlanders, but the population has been 
largely increased by emigration from the Northern States and from 
Europe. There are also many negroes. Total, 1,057,000. 

9. Chief Towns.— Milledgeville, near the centre of the State, on 
the Oconee River, a branch of the Altamaha, is the capital; it is 
surrounded by a beautiful and fertile country, and has a number of 
handsome buildings. 

Savannah, the largest and most commercial city in the State, lies 
on the right bank of the Savannah River, 17 miles from its mouth. 
It is regularly laid out, handsomely built, and densely shaded with 
Pride of India trees. It has considerable foreign commerce, and 
extensive inland and coastwise connections by railroads and steam¬ 
boats. 

Augusta, on the Savannah River, 120 miles from Savannah, is the 
second city in the State. It is at the head of steamboat navigation, 
is a great railroad centre, and an important cotton depot. 

Darien, Brunswick, and St. Mary’s are small ports on the coast. 

Macon, the former capital of Georgia, Columbus, on the Chatta¬ 
hoochee River, and Atlanta, are flourishing towns and important 
railroad centres. 

10. Education. —There are numerous academies and schools, 
generously sustained. The University of Georgia is at Athens; there 
are colleges also at Milledgeville, Oxford, Penfield, and Macon. 


FLORIDA. 

Questions on Map No. 12, Florida (See Map No. 7, United 
States ).—Bound Florida. What gulf south? What bay on the east 
coast? Bays on the gulf coast? What capes on the east coast? On the 
gulf coast? What islands south? What islands southeast? What 


8. Population? 9. What-of Milledgeville ? Savannah? Augusta? What 
small ports? Other towns? 10. What of education? 




136 


THE UNITED STATES. 


strait between Florida and the Bahama Islands? Where are the Ever¬ 
glades ? Where ,is Lake O'ke-eho'bee ? What river is a part of its 
western boundary ? What rivers flow into the Atlantic ? Into the Gulf 
of Mexico? What and where is the capital? Where is Key West? 
[Map No 12.) Pensacola? Appalachicola? Fernandina? Cedar 
Keys? St. Augustine? 

1. Position and Extent. —Florida lies south of Georgia and Ala¬ 
bama, and partly incloses the Gulf of Mexico; its greatest length is 
about 400 miles, and its greatest breadth 350 miles. Area, 59,000 
square miles. ' 

It derives its name from the fact that it was discovered on Easter 
Sunday [La Pascua de Flores, the Passover of Flowers). Florida 
was purchased of Spain by the United States in 1820, and became a 
State in 1845. 

2. Natural Features. — Surface. —The southern part of Florida 
is mostly an extensive marsh, called the Everglades: during the 
rainy season in summer this region is impassable; the remaining 
part of the State is level, without elevations of sufficient height to 
be called hills. 

3. Coast-line. —The coast-line of Florida exceeds that of any 
other State, having a length on the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico 
of 1146 miles; but, notwithstanding this great length, there are few 
good harbors. South of the southern extremity is a series of coral 
islands, called the Florida Beefs, which here form the left bank of 
the Gulf Stream. There are also numerous islands on the eastern 
coast, some of which produce the famous sea-island cotton. 

4. Rivers. —The principal rivers flowing into the Atlantic are 
St. Mary’s, St. John’s, and Indian; those flowing into the Gulf of 
Mexico are Perdido [per-dee / do), forming the western boundary, 
Escambia, Choctawhatchee, Appalachicola, and Suwanee. The Ap¬ 
palachicola is a large river, and affords great facilities for internal 
navigation. The St. John’s Biver flows north and east into the At¬ 
lantic, while all the other rivers on the east coast of the United 
States flow south and east into the Atlantic. 


Florida.— 1. Where is it? Length and breadth? Area? About its name? 
Of what power purchased? 2. Surface? 3. Coast-line? What south? What 
about islands? 4. What rivers flowing into the Atlantic? Into the gulf? 
What is said of St. John’s River? 



ALABAMA. 


137 


5. Soil and Climate .—A small portion of the State is avail¬ 
able for cultivation; the centre is the most productive, and yields 
vegetation of great variety and luxuriance. The climate is said to 
be one of the finest in the world. In the south the temperature 
scarcely changes the year round; in the north the summers are hot. 

6. Products. —The chief products are cotton, sugar, rice, and 
tropical fruits, such as figs, pine-apples, and oranges. Several varie¬ 
ties of oak and pine, valuable in sliip-building, are.found; that called 
live oak is the most important. 

7. Population. —The inhabitants are mostly emigrants from other 
States, and number 141,000. Many of them are negroes. 

8. Chief Towns. —Tallahassee, the capital, is in the north; it 
has a handsome State-House and other public buildings, and is situ¬ 
ated in the most productive and populous part of the State. Key 
West, on Key West Island, is the most southern town in the United 
States, and the largest city in Florida. 

9. Pensacola and Appalachicola, on the Gulf of Mexico, are im¬ 
portant towns, and have considerable commerce. Fernandina, on 
the Atlantic coast, is connected by railroad with Cedar Keys on 
the gulf. St. Augustine, on the east coast, is the oldest town in the 
United States, having been settled by the Spaniards in 1565. 

10. Education. —There are numerous private seminaries and 
academies, and a limited number of public schools. 


ALABAMA. 

Questions on Map No. 12, Alabama. —Bound Alabama. What 
gulf south? What bays? Sound? Islands? What mountains in 
the north? What two rivers unite and form Mobile River? Into 
what does it How? What rivers flow from Alabama through Florida 
into the Gulf of Mexico? What river in the north? What shoals? 
What and where is the capital? Where is Mobile? Huntsville? 
Decatur? Tuscumbia? Florence? Tuscaloosa? Tuskegee? Selma? 

1. Position and Extent.— Alabama lies west of Georgia and 

5. Soil? Climnto? 6. Products? 7. Population ? 8. What of Tallahassee? 
Key West? 9. Pensncola and Appalachicola? Fernandina? St. Augustine 
(ato'guH-tecn)? 10. Education? Alabama. —1. Where is it? Length and 
breadth? Area? Name? 


l'J 





138 THE UNITED STATES. 


north of Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. It is 350 miles long and 
200 broad. Area, 50,700 square miles. Alabama derives its name 
Trom an Indian word signifying “ Here we rest.” 

2. Natural Features. — Surface .—The Alleghany Mountains 
terminate in the northern part of Alabama, where they form a series 
of hills of moderate elevation. The surface from this part of the 
State slopes gently to the south, but is somewhat uneven and undu¬ 
lating near the centre. 

3. Coast-line .—The coast-line extends about 50 miles. Mobile 
Bay is the largest and finest bay on the Gulf of Mexico, and is the 
chief port of the commerce of the State. 

4. River s .—The principal rivers are the Tennessee, which enters 
the State on the northeast, leaves it at the northwest, and flows into 
the State of Tennessee; the Tombigby and the Alabama, that form 
Mobile River, which flows into Mobile Bay; and the Chattahoochee, 
which is a part of the eastern boundary, and flows into Florida. All 
these rivers are navigable for steamers. 


COTTON-CHUTE ON THE ALABAMA RIVER. 


2. Surface ? 3. What coast-line ? 4. Rivers ? What of all these rivers ? 





ALABAMA. 


139 


5. Soil and Climate .—Alabama has, with small exceptions, 
an exceedingly rich and fertile soil, and produces, next to the State 
of Mississippi, a larger quantity of cotton than any other State. The 
climate on the coast and in the river-valleys is unhealthy in sum¬ 
mer; but in the interior and higher lands at the north it is salu¬ 
brious and delightful. 

6. Products. —Cotton is the great staple; Indian corn, rice, sweet 
potatoes, and some tropical fruits are produced. The minerals in¬ 
clude coal, iron, limestone, and marbles of various qualities. Small 
quantities of gold have been found. 

7. Population. —Originally settled by the French, it is chiefly 
peopled now by settlers from other States, and by emigrants from 
Europe. There are also many negroes. Total, 904,000. 



MOBILE. 


8. Chief Towns.— Montgomery, the capital, lies on the left 
bank of the Alabama River; it is the second city in the State, and 
one of the most flourishing inland towns in the United States. It has 


5. Soil? Climate? 6. Products? Minerals? 7. Population? 8. What of 
Montgomery? Mobile? Other important towns ? 





140 


THE UNITED STATES. 


a fine State-House and many handsome edifices. The Alabama River 
is navigable to this place for the largest steamers. 

Mobile, on Mobile Bay, is the largest city in the. State, and, next 
to New Orleans, the largest cotton-market in the United States. It 
has considerable foreign commerce, and an extensive inland and 
coastwise trade. 

Huntsville, Decatur, Tuscumbia, Tuscaloosa, Tuskegee, Selma, and 
Florence are important towns. 

9. Education. —Alabama University is at Tuscaloosa. There 
are colleges at Macon, Spring Hill, and Marion, and in various parts 
many academies and seminaries, and about 1000 common schools. 


MISSISSIPPI. 

Questions on Map No. 12, Mississippi. —Bound Mississippi. 
What gulf south? What sound? What lake? What islands? 
What river forms a large portion of its western boundary ? Where 
does the Mississippi flow and empty ? What river forms the re¬ 
mainder of its western boundary? What river in the northeast 
corner? What rivers flow into the Mississippi? Into the Gulf of 
Mexico? What and where is the capital? Where is Natch'ez? 
Vicksburg? Holly Springs? Aberdeen? Columbus? Mississippi 
City? Shieldsboro? Biloxi? Port Gibson? Yazoo City? Meri¬ 
dian f 

1. Position and Extent. —Mississippi lies west of Alabama, and 
extends to the Mississippi River. Its extreme length is about 350 
miles, by an average breadth of 150 miles. Area, 47,200 square 
miles. 

2. Natural Features. — Surface .—Along the banks of the 
Mississippi ltiver, as far south as Vicksburg, the surface is low and 
marshy, and often inundated ; from Vicksburg to the southern part 
of the State are numerous bluffs, irregularly scattered, and elevated 
from 50 to 200 feet above the river. The surface rises from the Mis¬ 
sissippi River towards the east, and becomes an undulating plain; 

9. What of education ? Mississippi. —1. Where is it ? Length and breadth ? 
Area ? 2. What of its surface ? From what does it rise ? How in the south ? 
Of swamps ? 




MISSISSIPPI. 


141 


at the south it is low and level. In various parts are extensive 
swamps, some of which have been reclaimed, and found exceedingly 
fertile. 

3. Coast-line. —The coast-line on the Gulf of Mexico is about 
90 miles, including the indentations, without any harbors that will 
admit large vessels. Off the coast, a distance of five or six miles, is 
a chain of low islands, covered with pines and coarse grass, at one 
of which (Ship Island) is a good harbor. 

4. Rivers. —The Mississippi and the Pearl Rivers are the west¬ 
ern boundary of the State. Owing to the conformation of the banks 
of the Mississippi it affords but two good harbors, Vicksburg and 
Natchez. The Tennessee River forms the northeast border for a 
distance of twenty miles, and then flows north into Tennessee. The 
principal rivers flowing southwest into the Mississippi River are the 
Yazoo and Big Black. The Pearl and Pascagoula Rivers flow south 
into the Gulf of Mexico. 

5. Soil and Cl i mat e. —The soil is in general exceedingly fer¬ 
tile ; perhaps in no other part of the world are there such allu¬ 
vial lands as those of the Mississippi bottoms. The climate is re¬ 
markably equable; the winters are a little colder than in the same 
latitude on the Atlantic border. In the south, the fig and orange 
grow to perfection; and in the north, all the fruits of the temperate 
zone. 

G. Products. —The chief staple is cotton. Mississippi grows 
more cotton than any other State in the Union. The other important 
products are Indian corn, wheat, rice, oats, and sweet potatoes. 
Agriculture is the chief pursuit of the people. 

7. Population. —This State was settled by the French; but their 
settlements were not permanent. The inhabitants are chiefly of 
English and Irish descent, and emigrants from other States. There 
are also many negroes. Total, 792,000. 

8. Chief Towns.— Jackson, on the right bank of the Pearl River, 
near the centre of the State, is the capital. It contains some hand¬ 
some buildings, and has railroad connections east and west. 

Natchez, the largest city in the State, lies on the left bank of the 

3 Coast-lino? What off the coast? 4. Rivers? Of the Tennessee River? 
What flow into the Mississippi ? What of the Pearl ami Pascagoula Rivers? 
5 Soil? Climate? 6. Chief staple ? Other products ? Chief pursuit ? 7. Popu. 
lation ? 8 What of Jackson? Natchez? Vicksburg? Other principal towns? 




142 


THE UNITED STATES 


+ 

t 



COURT-HOUSE, VICKSBURG. 


Mississippi, on a bluff 200 feet high. The streets are wide, and the 
public buildings handsome. Many of the private residences are 
surrounded by orange groves. It is the centre of a large cotton- 
trade. 

Vicksburg lies on the left bank of the Mississippi River, 400 miles 
from New Orleans, and is the second city in population. It is an 
important mart for cotton, and has, in addition to its river com¬ 
merce, good railroad facilities east and west. It contains a splendid 
court-house. 

Other principal towns are Port Gibson, Holly Springs, Aberdeen, 
and Columbus. Mississippi City, Shieldsboro, and Biloxi, on the 
coast, are shallow harbors. 

9. Education.— Oxford, in the north, is the seat of the Univer¬ 
sity of Mississippi. There are colleges at Clinton, Sharon, and De 
Soto, and in various parts of the State numerous academies and 
seminaries, and nearly 1000 public schools. 


What harbors on the coast? 9. Education? 






































LOUISIANA. 


143 


LOUISIANA. 

Questions on Map No. 12, Louisiana. — Bound Louisiana. 
What gulf south ? Name the two bays on the east coast. The four 
on the south. What group of islands southeast? What islands 
south? What lakes in the southeast? In the south? In the north¬ 
west? What river is a part of the eastern boundary? Part of the 
western? What river flows into the Mississippi? What rivers into 
the Gulf? What and where is the capital? Where is New Orleans? 
Alexandria? Natchitoches? Shreveport? Donaldsonville? Plaque- 
mine ? Opelousas ? Lakeport ? Mansfield ? Grand Ecore ? Fort 
Jessup? Port Hudson ? Bayou Sara? 

1. Position and Extent. —Louisiana lies west of the State of 
Mississippi, and is bounded on the south by the Gulf of Mexico. 
Its extreme length is 290 miles, and its width 200 miles. Area, 
40,500 square miles. 

2. Natural Features.— Surface. — The surface is generally 
level, nowhere attaining an elevation of more than 200 feet above 
tide-water, while in the south a fourth part of the State is elevated 
but 10 feet above the sea, and is inundated annually by the spring 
floods. In the centre are extensive prairies, and in the north the 
surface is diversified by low hills. 

The Mississippi River so constantly overflows its west bank that 
dikes of earth, called levees, are raised to keep the water within its 
channel; these levees border the west bank of the river as far up as 
Baton Rouge; above that, high bluffs line the banks. The breaking 
of the water through a levee is called a crevasse, and it is sometimes 
very disastrous. 

3. Coast-line. —The coast-line on the Gulf of Mexico is exten¬ 
sive, but without any good harbors. There are numerous lakes near 
the coast, of which Pontchartrain and Borgne (born) are the largest. 
A number of islands skirt the coast. 

4. Rivers.- —The Mississippi River forms the northern half of the 

Lottt8IA*a.- 1. Where is it? Length and breadth? Area? 2. Surface? 
What of the Mississippi River? What is this breaking in of the water called? 
3. Coast-lino? 4. Rivers ? Sabine? Pearl? What further of these rivers? 




144 


THE UNITED STATES. 


eastern boundary, and then flows through the State in a southeast¬ 
erly direction into the Gulf of Mexico; its principal affluent in Louisi¬ 
ana is the Red River. The Washita is a branch of the Red. The 
Sabine is on the western boundary, and also flows into the Gulf of 
Mexico. The Pearl River is on the southeastern boundary. All 
these rivers are navigable, and upon their waters are conveyed vast 
quantities of cotton, sugar, and other products. 

5. Soil and Climate. —The river-valleys are exceedingly fer¬ 
tile ; a large portion of the surface is heavily timbered, and when 
cleared is found very productive. The winters are mild and delight¬ 
ful ; but the long and sultry heats of sumiper, acting on the extensive 
marshes, produce yellow fever and other diseases. 

6. Products. —Sugar and cotton are the staples. Rice, Indian 
corn, and tobacco are important crops. In the south, the orange, 
lemon, lime, and other tropical fruits flourish. 

7. Population. —The original settlers were French and Spanish ; 
but the population now contains many emigrants from the North, and 
from other countries, besides many negroes. Total, 708,000. 

8. Chief Towns. —Baton Rouge ( bai'un-roozh / ), the capital, is 
situated on the Mississippi River, 150 miles above New Orleans. It 
stands on a high bluff, and has an elegant State-IIouse, and many 
handsome villas surrounded by orange groves. 

9. New Orleans ( or'le-unz ), the chief city, and the largest in the 
Southern States, lies on the Mississippi, in a bend of the river, 
about 100 miles from its mouth, and is frequently called the “ Crescent 
City.” It is adorned with many fine specimens of architecture. The 
new Custom-IIouse, built of Quincy granite, is the largest building in 
the United States, except the Capitol at Washington. NewOrleans is 
the grand depot of the Mississippi Valley trade, and has a very large 
commerce. It is famous for the battle fought by General Jackson 
against the British on the 8th of January, 1815, in which he gained 
a great victory, and his opponent, General Pakenham, was killed. 

10. Alexandria, Natchitoches ( natch-e-totch'iz ), and Shreveport, on 
the Red River, are towns of importance. Donaldsonville, on the 


5. Soil? Climate? 6. Products? 7. Population? 8. What of Baton 
Rouge? 9. NewOrleans? For what famous? 10. What of Alexandria, 
Natchitoches, and Shreveport? Donaldsonville? Plaquemine and Opelousas? 
Lakeport ? 



TEXAS. 145 

Mississippi, was the former capital. Plaquemine ( plak-meen / ) and 
Opelousas 
( o-pe-loo'sas ) 
are flourish¬ 
ing places. 

Lakeport is 
the principal 
town on Lake 
Pontchar- 
train. 

11. Educa¬ 
tion.— T h e 

school system 
of Louisiana 
is improving; 
the Legisla¬ 
ture appropri¬ 
ates towards 
its support 
annually the 
sum of 
$250,000. 

The University of Louisiana is at New Orleans. There are colleges 
at Jackson and Washington. 



CITY OF NEW ORLEANS. 


TEXAS. 

Questions on Map No. 13, Texas. —Bound Texas (see Map 
No. 7). What gulf southeast (see Map No. 13) ? What hays on 
the coast? What islands? What mountains between the Pecos 
and Rio Grande Rivers? What east of the Pecos? Where is El 
Llano Estacado? What lake on the southeast? What river separates 
in part Texas from Louisiana? Texas wholly from Mexico? Into 
what do these rivers flow ? What other rivers flow into the Gulf of 
Mexico ? What river separates Texas from Indian Territory ? What 


11. Education? Universities and colleges? 








146 


THE UNITED STATES. 


and where is the capital? Where is San Antonio? Galveston? 
Houston ? Matagorda ? Corpus Christi ? Indianola ? Brownsville ? 

1. Position and Extent. —Texas lies west of Arkansas, Louisiana, 
and the G ulf of Mexico; its greatest length is 800 miles, and its 
greatest breadth 750 miles. Area, 237,000 square miles. It is the 
largest State in the Union. 

2. Natural Features.—There are no mountains of great height 
in Texas. The Guadalupe Mountains, a broken chain under various 
names, lie between the Rio Grande and Pecos Rivers. Nearly paral¬ 
lel to the Guadalupe, another range, on the east side of the Pecos, 
with scattered peaks, strikes southward ; the highest summits do not 
exceed 3000 feet. These mountains are offshoots of the great Rocky 
range. The north and northwest is mostly an elevated table-land 
from 2000 to 30 JO feet above the level of the sea. The surface falls 
gradually from the north and west to the coast, where it is low and 
level. 

The Llano Estacado (Staked Plain) (Vyali'no es-tah-kah'do), in the 
north, is sterile table-land, elevated about 2500 feet above the sea, 
without grass or timber ; it lies partly in New Mexico and partly 
in Texas, and on the route formerly pursued by the Sante Fe traders 
to the trading-posts on the Gulf of Mexico. As this vast plain was 
without natural landmarks to guide the traveller, these traders placed 
stakes at short intervals. The stakes are now mostly fallen, but the 
name is retained. 

3. Coast-line .—The coast-line extends about 360 miles; there 
are but few harbors, and they are shallow. The coast is skirted by 
low shifting sand islands which nearly bar up the ports. 

4. Rivers .—The principal rivers are the Red, which forms a por¬ 
tion of its northern boundary, the Sabine, of the eastern, and the Rio 
Grande, of the southwestern : the two latter, with the following, flow 
almost in parallel lines in a southeasterly direction into the Gulf of 
Mexico; the Nueces ( nway'ses ), Guadalupe, Colorado, Brazos, and 
Trinity: all of these rivers are navigable for steamers. 

5. Soil and Climate .—There is every variety of soil, and in 

Texas.—1. Where is it? Length and breadth? Area? 2. Mountains? 
Highest summits? Of what are these mountains offshoots? Surface? De¬ 
scribe the Llano Estacado. 3. Coast-line? 4. What rivers are on the bound¬ 
aries? Other rivers? 5. Soil? Climate? 



TEXAS. 


147 


general it is extremely fertile. The climate is very salubrious. 
Owing to the refreshing breezes from the Gulf of Mexico, Texas is 
more free from malarious diseases than any of the other Gulf States. 

6. Products.— Cotton is the great staple, and flourishes in every 
part of the State: that grown near the Gulf is nearly equal in 
quality to the choice “ sea-island.” Two crops of Indian corn may be 
raised in a year; other products are wheat, rye, oats, and tobacco. 
In West Texas vast herds of cattle are fed on the natural pastures, 



SCENE IN TEXAS. 


which arc said to be the finest in the world. There are extensive 
bituminous coal-fields ; marble and lead have been found. 

7. Population.— The population is 604,000, and is of a mixed 
character, consisting of Mexicans, Frenchmen, settlers from other 
States, emigrants from Europe, and negroes. The Apache and Co¬ 
manche Indians still roam in the western part. 

8. Chief Towns. —Austin, the capital, is situated on the Colorado. 
200 miles from its mouth. 

fi. Products? What in West Toxas? Minerals? 7. Population? 8. What 

of Austin? 




148 


THE UNITED STATES. 


9. San Antonio, on a branch of San Antonio River, is the oldest 
and largest town in the State, and contains the AFamo Fort, in which, 
during the Texan war of independence, 150 Texans successfully 
resisted for eleven days the attack of 4000 Mexicans, but were finally 
captured and all put to the sword. Galveston, on an island of the 
same name, in Galveston Bay, is the principal seat of commerce. 

10. Houston ( hu'stun ), Matagorda, Corpus Christi, and Indianola 
are important places; the latter has an excellent trade. Browns¬ 
ville is a flourishing town on the Rio Grande, opposite Matamoras, 
in Mexico. 

11. Education.—At Independence is a university; at Goliad, Co¬ 
lumbus, and Galveston, are colleges; and in various parts of the State, 
numerous academies and seminaries. The school fund is $2,000,000. 


ARKANSAS. 

Questions on Map No. 12, Arkansas. —Bound Arkansas. 
What mountains in the northwest ? Lake in the northeast ? What 
river the eastern boundary ? What rivers flow into the Mississippi ? 
What flow south into Louisiana? Where are the Hot Springs? 
What and where is the capital? Where is Helena? VanBuren? 
Napoleon? Carrollton? Fort Smith? Pine Bluff? Arkansas Post? 

1. Position and Extent. —Arkansas lies west of Tennessee and 
Mississippi, and north of Louisiana. It is about 240 miles long, by 
225 in width. Area, 52,000 square miles. 

2. Natural Features.— Mountains. —The Pea Ridge and Boston 
Mountains, in the northwestern part of the State, are about 2000 
feet in height, and are the principal elevations. The surface in the 
centre of the State is undulating; in the east it is low and covered 
with marshes, which are frequently inundated. 

3. Rivers. —The Mississippi River is the eastern boundary. The 
other principal rivers are St. Francis, White, Arkansas, Washita, 
and Red. They flow in a south and southeasterly direction into the 
Mississippi River, and are all navigable for steamers. 

9. San Antonio? Galveston? 10. Other towns? 11. Education? Ar¬ 
kansas. —1. Where is it? Length and breadth? Area? 2. Mountains? 
Surface ? 3. Rivers ? 






ARKANSAS. 


149 


4. Soil and Climate .—The river-valleys are fertile and pro¬ 
duce bountiful crops; the centre is adapted to grazing and grain. 
The climate in the low lands is unhealthy, but in the more elevated 
parts quite salubrious. 

The Hot Springs, on Washita River, are about 80 in number, and 
are much resorted to by invalids. Oilstone of excellent quality, used 
for sharpening fine instruments, is abundant in the neighborhood. 



COTTON-FIELD IN ARKANSAS. 


5. Products.— Cotton, Indian corn, wheat, and tobacco are the 
principal products of the soil. Mines of coal, iron, lead, salt, and 
other minerals have been found ; they are as yet but little developed. 
Cattle, sheep, and swine are numerous. 

G. Population. —The people were originally French settlers. 
The population has been greatly increased by immigration from other 
States. There are also many negroes Total, 436,000. 

7. Chief Towns.— Little Rock, the capital, lies on the right bank 


4. Soil? Climate? Hot Springs? 5. Products? 6. Population? 7. Lit¬ 

tle Rock ? Other towns ? 

13* 





150 


THE UNITED STATES. 


of the Arkansas River, 300 miles from its mouth, and near the centre 
of the State. It has a fine State-House and other public buildings, 
and considerable river commerce. 

Helena, Van Buren, Napoleon, Carrollton, Fort Smith, and Pine 
Bluff are important towns. Arkansas Post is the oldest town in the 
State. 

8. Education.—Education has made less progress in Arkansas 
than in any of the other Southwestern States. There are about 100 
academies and seminaries, and 350 schools. 


TENNESSEE. 

Questions on Map No. 12, Tennessee. —Bound Tennessee. 
What mountains on the eastern boundary? What parallel range 
farther west? What river is the western boundary? What river 
flows in and out of the State in the north? What river rises in 
East Tennessee, flows south into Alabama, and then north through 
Tennessee into Kentucky? Name its two principal affluents in 
Tennessee. What and where is the capital ? Where is Memphis ? 
Knoxville ? Murfreesboro ? Clarksville ? Gallatin ? Columbia ? 
Winchester? Franklin? 

1. Position and Extent. —Tennessee lies north of Georgia, Ala¬ 
bama, and Mississippi; its greatest length is 430 miles, and its breadth 
110 miles. Area, 45,600 square miles. 

2. Natural Features.— Mountains.— The Alleghany Moun¬ 
tains, under various local names, separate it from North Carolina; 
further west, the Cumberland Mountains, a parallel range of the 
same chain, pass through the State from northeast to southwest; 
between these two ranges is a fertile and well-watered valley. West 
of the Cumberland Mountains the surface is undulating, and slopes 
gently to its western boundary. 

3. R ivers. —The Mississippi River bounds Tennessee on the west. 

S.Edueation? Tennessee.—1. Where is it? Length and breadth ? Area? 
A Mountains? Surface west of the Cumberland Mountains? 3. Rivers? 
vv hat of the Holston and Clinch ? 




TENNESSEE. 


151 


The Cumberland River skirts some of its northern counties, and 
flows into Kentucky; the Tennessee River flows entirely through 
the State from north to south, and, after entering Alabama, returns 
and flows northward into Kentucky. These rivers are navigable, and 
afford great facilities for transporting the products of the soil. The 
llolston and Clinch are the principal affluents of the Tennessee River. 

4. Soil and Climate. —The soil is fertile, particularly in the 
middle and western part; in the valley east, between the moun¬ 
tains, it is also fertile, but among the mountains it is not adapted 
to cultivation. The climate is healthy, mild, and agreeable; the 
heat of summer is not so oppressive as in the more Southern States. 

5. Products. —Tobacco, cotton, Indian corn, and wheat are the 
chief products. Oats, sweet potatoes, and Irish potatoes are also ex¬ 
tensively cultivated. Iron, copper, coal, marble, nitre, and slate are 
some of the minerals. The chief pursuit of the people is agriculture. 

6. Divisions. —The State is commonly divided as follows: that 
part east of the Cumberland Mountains is called East Tennessee; that 
between the Cumberland Mountains and the Tennessee River, Middle 
Tennessee; and that west of the Tennessee River, West Tennessee. 

7. Population. —Tennessee is the oldest of the Western States. 
It is inhabited 
chiefly by de¬ 
scendants of 
the early set- 
tiers, emi¬ 
grants from 
the older 
Southern and 
Middle States, 
and negroes. 

Total popula¬ 
tion, 1,110,000. 

8. Chief 

Towns — 

Nashville, the 
capital, is on 
the left bank 



4. Soil? Climate? 5. Products? Minerals? 6. Divisions? 7. Population ? * 
8. What of Nashville? Capitol, Ao. ? Railroads, Ac.? Memphis? Knoxville? 






152 


THE UNITED STATES. 


of the Cumberland River, 200 miles from its mouth; it is, next to 
Memphis, the most populous city. The Capitol is one of the finest spe¬ 
cimens of architecture in the country, and many of the private resi¬ 
dences are on a scale of magnificence scarcely equalled in the 
largest Eastern cities Nashville has superior railroad and steam¬ 
boat facilities, numerous manufactories, and an extensive trade. 

Memphis, the largest city, lies on the Mississippi, and is beauti¬ 
fully situated on a bluff 30 feet above the river. It is handsomely 
laid out, has many fine buildings, and is an important cotton-depot. 
Memphis is connected with Charleston, New Orleans, and Mobile 
by railroad. Knoxville, in the eastern part of the State, on the Hol- 
ston River, was formerly the capital. The Southwestern Virginia 
and Tennessee Railroad passes through it. Murfreesboro, Clarks¬ 
ville, Columbia, Winchester, and Gallatin are important towns. 

9. Education.— There are colleges at Nashville, Franklin, Knox¬ 
ville, Lebanon, Columbia, Murfreesboro, and Greenville. The State 
has a common-school fund of $1,500,000; more than 200 academies 
and seminaries, and upwards of 2500 public schools. 


OHIO. 

Questions on Map No. 14, Ohio. —Bound Ohio. What lake 
in the northeast? What islands in Lake Erie? What bay? What 
river is the southern boundary? Describe the Ohio River in its 
whole extent. What river flows into it at the southwest corner of 
the State ? What other rivers flow into the Ohio in the State of Ohio ? 
What river flows from Indiana into Lake Erie? What other rivers 
flow into Lake Erie? What and where is the capital? Where is 
Cincinnati? Cleveland? Dayton? Toledo? Sandusky? Zanes¬ 
ville? Marietta? Steubenville? Chilicothe? Mansfield? 

1. Position and Extent.— Ohio lies west of Pennsylvania and 
West Virginia; its greatest length is about 220 miles, and its great¬ 
est breadth about 200 miles. Area, 40,000 square miles. 

2. Natural Features.— There are no mountains in Ohio. A low 
ridge of highlands north of the middle of the State separates the 

Other towns? 9. Education? Ohio.— 1 . Where is it? Length and breadth ? 
Area? 2. Mountains? What of a ridge of highlands? Of the centre of the State? 





OHIO. 



CINCINNATI. 

rivers flowing north from those flowing south. The centre of the 
State is an elevated plain, about 1000 feet above the level of the sea. 
The surface is undulating, falling gently from this elevation to Lake 
Erie on the north and the Ohio River on the south. 

3. Lakes .—Lake Erie, one of the great chain of American lakes, 
borders the State on the northeast about 150 miles, affording several 
fine harbors. There are a few small islands in the western part 
belonging to Ohio. This lake opens commerce to all the great lakes, 
and through the Erie Canal in New York and the Hudson River to 
the Atlantic Ocean. 

4. Rivers .—The Ohio River forms its southern boundary; its 
principal affluents are the Muskingum, Scioto, and Miami ( mi-ah 
mee). The rivers flowing north into Lake Erie are the Maumee, 
Sandusky, Huron, and Cuyahoga ( ki-ah-ho / gah ). 

5. Soil and Climate .—The soil is almost uniformly very fer¬ 
tile, and the river-valleys exceedingly productive. The climate in 
the south is mild and delightful, but in the north the winters are 


Surface? 3. What lake? Commerce? Islands? 4. Rivers? 5. Soil? Climate? 









154 


THE UNITED STATES, 



MONUMENT TO COMMODORE PERRY AT CLEVELAND. 


as cold as in the same latitude in the Eastern States, owing to the 
proximity of the lake. 

6. Products.—Indian corn, wheat, tobacco, and oats are staple 
products. Ohio is the largest wool-growing State, and one of the 
largest producers of pork and live stock, in the Union: other pro¬ 
ducts are barley, rye, peas, beans, butter, and cheese. The vine is 
extensively cultivated, and excellent wine is made. 

7. There are manufactories of cotton, woollen, leather, and paper. 
Steamboats are built upon the Ohio River and upon Lake Erie. The 
towns situated on Lake Erie have considerable trade with Canada; 
but the chief commerce of the State is by steamboats upon the Ohio 
and Mississippi, and by the numerous railroads. 

8. Population.—The inhabitants are chiefly emigrants and the 
descendants of emigrants from the Eastern States. They number 
2,340,000. 

9. Chief Towns.— Columbus, the capital, lies on the Scioto River, 

6. Products ? 7. Manufactories ? Trade and commerce ? 8. Population ? 

9. What of Columbus? 









KENTUCKY. 


155 


in the centre of the State. It is handsomely laid out, and is noted 
for its numerous and elegant public buildings; the most conspicuous 
is the State-House, which ig one of the finest specimens of Doric 
architecture in America. 

10. Cincinnati, the chief city, and the most populous in the Ohio 
Valley, lies on the right bank of the Ohio, 500 miles from its mouth. 
It is built upon two terraces, rising from the river at different ele¬ 
vations, and is environed on the north by a range of hills about 400 
feet high, forming a picturesque and beautiful amphitheatre. It 
has many splendid public buildings, and numerous private resi¬ 
dences, which equal in grandeur the finest in the Eastern cities. The 
trade of Cincinnati by the Ohio River and by the railroads, pene¬ 
trating all the Western States, is immense and constantly increasing. 
Cincinnati is one of the largest pork-markets in the world. 

11. Cleveland, on Lake Erie, is the second city in population in 
Ohio; it stands upon a bluff overlooking the lake. It is well built, 
with wide streets, and has many fine edifices, and an extensive and 
prosperous trade. There is a fine monument to Commodore Perry 
in the public square. 

Dayton, Toledo, Sandusky, and Zanesville are flourishing towns. 
Marietta is noted for being the oldest town in the State ; it was 
settled in 1788. 

12. Education.—There are nine universities and fifteen colleges 
in Ohio. There is a considerable school fund, and an annual tax is 
laid for educational purposes. There are numerous academies and 
seminaries, and more than 400,000 pupils in the schools. 


KENTUCKY. 

Questions on Map No. 14, Kentucky.— Bound Kentucky. 
What mountains form a part of the eastern boundary? V hat river 
forms a part of the same? Into what does the Big Sandy flow? What 
river is the northern boundary? What a part of the western? What 
rivers flow into the Ohio in Kentucky west of Louisville ? What east 
of Louisville? What and where is the capital? Where is Louis- 

10. Of Cincinhnti ? Describe it. Of its buildings? Trade? 11. Cleveland ? 
Other towns? 12. Education? 





156 


THE UNITED STATES 


ville? Covington,? Lexington? Newport? Paducah? Hickman? 
Maysville? Danville ? In what part of the State and in what county 
is the Mammoth Cave? 

1* Position and Extent.— Kentucky lies north of Tennessee. 
Its greatest length is about 300 miles, and its greatest breadth about 
170 miles. Area, 37,700 square miles. 

2. Natural Features.— Mou nt ains .—The Cumberland Moun¬ 
tains, a part of the great Alleghany range, form the southeastern 
boundary. A low broken ridge, offshoots of the Cumberland, pene¬ 
trates the State. The surface in the eastern part as far as the centre 
is hilly; in the western part it is nearly level. A low range of hills 
borders the Ohio River. 



STATE-HOUSE, FRANKFORT. 


3. Rivers .—The Ohio River washes its northern boundary, and 
unites with the Mississippi, which forms its western boundary. These 
great rivers open to Kentucky vast commercial facilities with the 
valley of the Mississippi and the port of New Orleans. The afflu- 


Kentucky.— 1 . Where is it? 
tains ? Surface ? 3. What rivers ? 


Length and breadth? Area? 
Affluents of the Ohio ? 


2. Moun- 



















KENTUCKY. 


157 

ents of the Ohio in Kentucky are the Tennessee, Cumberland, Green, 
Salt, Kentucky, Licking, and Big Sandy, all having a northwesterly 
course, and all, except the Licking, navigable for steamboats. 

4. Mammoth Cave. —The Mammoth Cave in Kentucky is the 
largest and 

one of the 
most re¬ 
markable 
subterra¬ 
nean cav¬ 
erns in the 
world. It 
has been ex¬ 
plored ten 
miles, and 
found to 
contain vast 
chambers, 

,, . VIEW IN THE MAMMOTH CAVE. 

galleries, 

and mounds, splendid arches, stalactites innumerable, and rivers 
inhabited by blind fish. 

5. Soil and Climate. —Kentucky is one of the leading agricul¬ 
tural States, and is noted for the richness of its soil. The climate is 
mild and agreeable, the winters are short, and the autumn and 
spring are not so cold as in the same latitude on the eastern coast. 

6. Products. —Tobacco, Indian corn, hemp, and flax are staples; 
other principal products are wheat, oats, rye, and wool. The tan¬ 
neries are numerous and extensive. Salt, from the numerous salt 
springs, is largely manufactured. There are great fields of bitu¬ 
minous coal, and some iron and lead. 

7. Population.—The people are principally descendants of emi¬ 
grants from the more eastern States, chiefly from Virginia. There 
ore many negroes. Total population, 1,156,000. 

8. Chief Towns. —Frankfort is the capital; it lies on the Ken¬ 
tucky River, 60 miles from its mouth. It has a fine State-House 
and other public buildings, and is the centre of an active trade. 

4. Mammoth Cave? 5. Soil? Climate? 6. Products? Minerals? 7. What 
of tho population? 8. What of Frankfort? 

14 





158 


THE UNITED STATES. 


9. Louisville, the chief city, is situated on the left bank of the 
Ohio River, at the falls; it stands on a plain elevated about 60 feet 
above the river, is well laid out, and has many elegant buildings. 
A canal has been cut around the falls, navigable for large steamers. 
Louisville is one of the most important cities of the Mississippi Val¬ 
ley. The facilities for commerce by the Ohio River, and by the 
numerous railroads centring here, have greatly added to its wealth 
and prosperity. 

10. Covington, on the Ohio, at the mouth of Licking River, and 
opposite Cincinnati, is a flourishing city. Lexington is the oldest 
town in the State, and is distinguished for its culture and refine¬ 
ment. Newport, Paducah, Maysville, and Danville are important 
towns. 

11. Education.— The State has a large school fund. There are 
numerous academies and public schools, a university at Lexington, 
and colleges at Bardstown, Danville, Georgetown, and Louisville. 


INDIANA. 

Questions on Map No. 14, Indiana.— Bound Indiana. What 
lake in the northwest? What river is the southern boundary? 
What one a part of its western boundary? Into what does the Wa¬ 
bash empty? What river empties into the Ohio at the southeast 
corner? What rivers in Indiana flow into the Wabash? What 
river in the north flows into the Illinois River in the State of Illi¬ 
nois ? What river in the northeast flows into Lake Erie in Ohio ? 
What and where is the capital? Where is New Albany? Evans¬ 
ville? Fort Wayne? Lafayette? Terre Haute? Madison? Rich¬ 
mond? Vincennes? Jeffersonville? Vevay? 

1. Position and Extent.— Indiana lies north of Kentucky and 
west of Ohio; its greatest length is about 275 miles, and its greatest 
breadth about 140 miles. Area, 33,800 square miles. 

9. What of Louisville? 10. Covington? Lexington? Other towns? 11. 
Education? Indiana. —1. Where is it? Length and breadth? Area? 




INDIANA. 


159 


2. Natural Features. — Surface .—There are no mountains or 
great elevations in Indiana. The south and southwest part is hilly; 
but by far the 
larger portion 
is level or 
slightly undu¬ 
lating, with 
many exten¬ 
sive prairies. 

The surface 
slopes gently 
towards the 
Ohio River. 

Lake Michi¬ 
gan borders 
on the north¬ 
west, and has 
a coast-line of 
aboutdOmiles. 

3 .Rivers. prairie >n Indiana. 

—The Ohio River forms its southern boundary. The "Wabash, a 
tributary of the Ohio, forms a part of its western boundary; its 
principal affluents are the Tippecanoe, Sugar, and White Rivers. 

4. Soil and Climate .—The soil is generally fertile, and ex¬ 
ceedingly productive in the river-bottoms; the northeastern part is 
heavily timbered. The climate is somewhat milder than in the same 
latitude on the Atlantic coast, and the winters are shorter. 

5. Curiosities .—There are a number of caves in Indiana, one, the 
Wyandotte Cave, in Crawford county, rivalling the famous Mam¬ 
moth Cave of Kentucky. It has been explored more than three miles. 

6. Population. —The French were the original settlers; but the 
present population are chiefly emigrants and descendants of emi¬ 
grants from the more eastern States. They number 1,351,000. 

7. Products. —Indian corn and wheat are staples. Other import¬ 
ant products are wool, flax, oats, tobacco, and Irish potatoes. Cattle, 
swine, and sheep abound. There are numerous tanneries. The 



2. Surface? What lake? 3. Rivers? 4. What of the soil? Climate? 
5. Curiosities? 6. Population ? 7. Products? Tanneries? Coal-fields? What 






160 


THE UNITED STATES. 


coal-fields of Indiana are very extensive. Along the banks of the 
Ohio River beds of cannel coal have been developed. Iron and 
grindstones are found. At Vevay, a Swiss settlement, wine is made. 

8. Chief Towns.— Indianapolis, the capital and largest city, is 
situated near the centre of the State, on the West Fork of White 
River. It is a fine city, with wide streets, and contains an elegant 
State-House, in the Doric style, and other public buildings; it has 
great railroad facilities and an increasing trade. 

9. New Albany, the second city in the State, lies on the Ohio 
River, opposite Louisville, Kentucky. It is noted for its rapid 
growth and extensive steamboat-building. Evansville, also on the 
Ohio, is a flourishing town, and noted for its coal-mines, and as the 
principal shipping port for the products of Southwestern Indiana. 

10. Fort Wayne, in the northeast, has an extensive railroad com¬ 
munication and a flourishing trade. Lafayette, Terre Haute ( ter'reli - 
hot') Madison, Richmond, and Jeffersonville are important towns. 

11. Education.— Indiana has a large school and university fund. 
According to the census of 1850, there were 11 colleges, more than 
130 academies, and nearly 5000 public schools. 


ILLINOIS. 

Questions on Map No. 14, Illinois. —Bound Illinois. What 

lake in the northeast? Where is Lake Peoria? Lake Pishtake? 
What river is the western boundary? A part of the southern? A 
part of the eastern ? Into what does the Wabash empty? What four 
rivers in Illinois empty into the Mississippi? What two into the 
Wabash? What rivers flow into the Illinois River on the east? On 
the west? Where is Fox River? What and where is the capital? 
Where is Chicago? On what river is Galena? Rock Island? Where 
is Quincy? Alton? Rockford? Ottawa? Freeport? Aurora? Gene- 
seo? Naperville? Peoria? Lincoln? Bloomington? Jacksonville? 
Galesburg? Belleville? Kaskaskia? 

1. Position and Extent.— Illinois lies west of Lake Michigan, 

of Vevay? 8. Indianapolis ? 9. New Albany? Evansville? 10. Fort Wayne? 
Other towns? 11. Education? Illinois. —1. Where is it? Length and breadth? 
Area ? 




ILLINOIS 


161 


Indiana, and Kentucky; its greatest length is about 390 miles, and 
its greatest breadth about 200 miles. Area, 55,400 square miles. 

2. Natural Features.— Surface .—There are no mountains in 
Illinois. The surface is generally a table-land of elevated prairies, 
from 300 to 500 feet above tide-vrater, and sloping with the general 
course of the rivers towards the southwest and south. In the north¬ 
west, and along the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, are many ele¬ 
vated bluffs. 



3. Lakes .—Lake Michigan, on the northeast, has a coast-lino 
within the State of GO miles, and affords great commercial facilities. 
Lake Peoria and Lake Pishtake are the only other lakes of im¬ 
portance. 

4. Rivers .—The Mississippi River bounds Illinois on the west, 
the Ohio bounds it in part on the south, and the Wabash in part on 
the east. The principal affluents of the Mississippi in Illinois are 
the Illinois, Rock, Kaskaskia, and Ohio, flowing in a southwesterly 
direction. All these rivers are navigable, the Rock and Kaskaskia 
only for small steamers. 


2. What of its surface? What in the northwest? 3. Lakes? 4. Rivers? 

14 » 








162 


THE UNITED STATES. 


5. /Soil and Climate. —Illinois, in fertility of soil, is not sur¬ 
passed by any other State in the Union. There are various parts 
adapted to grazing, and some covered with heavy timber; but in 
general the soil is deep and luxuriantly fertile. 

The climate is salubrious, except in the river-valleys and the low 
lands in the south. The winters, owing to the prevalent northwest 
winds, are cold; and the summers, although greatly modified by the 
southwest winds, are hot. 

6. Products.—In the production of Indian corn and wheat, Illi¬ 
nois surpasses every other State. Other chief products are oats, 
wool, hay, tobacco, Irish potatoes, and broom-corn. Rich and pro¬ 
ductive lead-mines are developed near Galana, in the northwest. 
Bituminous coal is abundant, particularly upon the bluffs adjacent 
to the Mississippi. Iron is found in the south. 

7. Population.—The French were the original settlers. La Salle, 
an enterprising explorer, with a colony of Canadians, founded Kas- 
kaskia and other towns, in 1683. The present population are chiefly 
emigrants and descendants of emigrants from the Eastern States. 
They number 1,712,000. 



STATE-HOUSE, SPRINGFIELD. 


is a great railroad centre, and is flourishing and prosperous. 


8. Chief 
Town s.— 

Springfield, 
the capital, is 
near the cen¬ 
tre of the 
State. It is a 
handsome 
city, with 
wide streets, 
and contains 
an elegant 
State-House, 
the State Uni¬ 
versity, and 
other public 
buildings. It 


5. Soil? Climate? 6. Products? Minerals? 7. Population? 8. What of 
Springfield ? 




















MISSOURI. 


163 


9. Chicago, on Lake Michigan, is the largest city in Illinois. It 
is advantageously situated for commerce and trade, and is the greatest 
grain and lumber market in the world, and in pork-packing exceeds 
all other cities in the Union. By Lake Michigan, vessels of the 
largest class reach all the principal ports of the other great lakes, 
and, through the Welland Canal and the river St. Lawrence, the sea. 
Ships loaded here have discharged their cargoes at Liverpool. 

Chicago, by its railroad connections, reaches the Mississippi River 
and the Ohio, and the chief cities of the Union. It is noted for its 
enterprise, wealth, and rapid growth. The public buildings are ele¬ 
gant and on a grand scale, and many of the private dwellings are 
equal to the finest found in the older Eastern cities. Chicago has 
grown up almost within the last twenty years. The entire population 
in 1837 was only 4000. It now (in 1865) contains 175,000 inhabitants. 

10. Peoria (pe-o're-a/i), on Illinois River, is the second city in 
population. It is handsomely built, and one of the most populous 
and prosperous places on the Illinois. 

Quincy, on the Mississippi River, the third town in population, is 
finely situated on a bluff 125 feet above the river; it commands a 
large trade. Galena, near the Mississippi, is noted for its lead-mines. 
Bloomington, a prosperous and flourishing town, is the seat of the 
State Normal University. Aurora, Rockford, Alton, Belleville, Ot¬ 
tawa, Rock Island, Jacksonville, Lincoln, Freeport, and Galesburg 
are important towns. 

11. Education. —Great attention is paid to education. There are 
colleges at Chicago, Springfield, Jacksonville, Upper Alton, Lebanon, 
Monmouth, and Galesburg. The State has a large school fund; there 
are numerous academies and seminaries, and more than 10,000 public 
schools. 


MISSOURI. 

Questions on Map No. 14, Missouri. —Bound Missouri. What 
lakes in the southeast? Where are Iron Mt. and Pilot Knob? 


9. What of Chicago? What by Lake Michigan? What of its railroad and 
river connections? For what noted? Of its buildings? Population? 10. 
Peoria? Quincy? Oalena? Bloomington? Other towns? 11. What of edu¬ 
cation ? School-fund and schools ? 





164 


THE UNITED STATES. 


King’s Mt.? What river is the eastern boundary of the State? 
What river is for some distance the western boundary, and thence 
flows eastward through the State? Into what river does the Missouri 
empty? What affluents flow into the Missouri River on the north? 
On the south? What rivers in the State flow into the Mississippi? 
What and where is the capital? Where is St. Louis? On what river 
is St. Charles? St. Joseph? Hannibal? Cape Girardeau? Where 
is Holla ? Springfield i Richmond ? Independence ? Savannah ? 
Warrenton ? Macon C'ty? Neosho ? 

1. Position and Extent. —Missouri lies west of Illinois, Ken¬ 
tucky, and Tennessee, and north of Arkansas. Its length and 
breadth are each about 280 miles. Area, 07,400 square miles. 

2. Natural Features. — Surf ac e .—North of the Missouri River 
the surface is mostly level or undulating; south of the Missouri River 
the banks of the Mississippi rise precipitously, sometimes as high as 
300 feet above the water, and the surface from thence to its western 
border is undulating and often rugged. 

The ridge separating the waters flowing into the Missouri from 
those flowing into the Mississippi is nowhere elevated more than 
2000 feet. In the southeast are extensive and almost impenetrable 
cypress swamps, and several lakes and lagunes. 

3. River s. —The Missouri River forms its northwestern boundary 
for more than 150 miles, and then flows entirely through the State 
and empties into the Mississippi River. The Mississippi forms the 
eastern boundary. The Missouri is navigable for small steamers to 
Fort Benton, in Montana Territory, under the very shadows of the 
Rocky Mountains, a distance from its mouth of more than 2000 miles. 
The principal affluents of the Missouri in the State of Missouri on the 
north are the Grand and Chariton, and on the south the Osage and 
Gasconade. The principal affluents of the Mississippi within the 
State are the Salt, Des Moines, Missouri, and Maramec(wer / re-ma/c). 

4. Soil and Climate .—The bottom-lands bordering on the 
Mississippi and Missouri are remarkably fertile; the soil generally 
is good, and has great agricultural resources. There are many 
forests of pine and heavy timber. The summers are very warm; the 

Missouri.—1. Where is it? Length and breadth? Area? 2. Surface? 
What of the ridge? What in the southeast? 3. Rivers? Affluents of the 
Missouri? Of the Mississippi? 4. Soil? Climate? 





MISSOURI. 


165 

winters are cold, and the rivers are not unfrequently frozen so firmly 
as to admit the passage of heavy teams. 

5. Products.— Indian corn, tobacco, hemp, and wheat are staples. 
Other important products are oats, wool, timber, live-stock, and fruits. 
Iron Mountain and Pilot Knob contain the richest deposits of iron in 



PILOT KNOB. 


the world. Bituminous and cannel coal abound; the cannel-coal 
fields, on the Osage River, are believed to contain the largest body 
of cannel coal in the world. Copper and lead are found. 

G. Population. —The French were the first settlers. Missouri is 
now inhabited chiefly by emigrants and descendants of emigrants 
from other States and from foreign countries. There are many ne¬ 
groes. Total population, 1,182,000. 

7. Chief Towns. —Jefferson City, the capital, lies on the right 
bank of the Missouri River, 128 miles from its mouth; it is beauti¬ 
fully situated, and contains a handsome State-Ilouse and other public 
buildings. 

5. Products? What of Iron Mountain and Pilot Knob? Other minerals? 
0. Population? 7. Jefferson City? 






1G6 


THE UNITED STATES. 



ST. LOUIS. 


8. St. Louis, the chief city of the State, is situated on the right 
bank of the Mississippi, 20 miles below the mouth of the Missouri 
River. It is well laid out; the public buildings are numerous and 
elegant; the new court-house is a magnificent edifice. St. Louis has 
extraordinary commercial facilities, and commands a vast trade by 
the Missouri, Mississippi, and Ohio Rivers, and by its railroads east 
and west. 

St. Joseph, on the left bank of the Missouri River, in the north¬ 
western part of the State, is the second city in population. It is con¬ 
nected with St. Louis and Hannibal, both on the Mississippi, by 
railroad. 

Hannibal, Cape Girardeau, Rolla, St. Charles, Springfield, and 
Richmond are important towns. 

9. Education.—There is a school fund of nearly $700,000. In 
18G0 there were in the State 10 colleges, numerous academies, and 
more than 3000 public schools. 


8. What of St. Louis? Of its commercial facilities? St. Joseph? Other 
towns? 9. Education? 






IOWA. 


167 


IOWA. 

Questions on Map No. .14, Iowa. —Bound Iowa. What river 
forms its eastern boundary? What two rivers form its western? 
What rivers in Iowa flow into the Mississippi ? Into the Missouri ? 
What and where is the capital? Where is Dubuque? Keokuk? 
Davenport? Burlington? Iowa City? Muscatine? Fort Madison? 
Oskaloosa? Mount Pleasant? Washington? Lyons? Farmington? 

1. Position and Extent. — Iowa lies west of Illinois and Wis¬ 
consin, and north of Missouri. Its greatest length from east to west 
is about 309 miles, and its width from north to south 210 miles. 
Area, 55,000 square miles. 

2. Natural Features. — Surface. —There are no mountains, nor 
any considerable elevations, in Iowa. The surface is generally a 
series of undulating prairies, sloping gradually from a ridge in the 
northwest and north, with the course of the rivers, towards the south¬ 
east and southwest. 

3. Rivers .—All the rivers in Iowa flow into the great boundary 
streams, the Mississippi and the Missouri. The Mississippi is tho 
eastern boundary; its principal affluents in this State are the Upper 
Iowa, Makoqueta, Wapsipiu'icon, Iowa, Skunk, and Dos Moines (de 
moin). Cedar River is an affluent of Iowa River. The Missouri, and 
its affluent the Big Sioux ( 500 ), form the western boundary; other 
affluents of the Missouri in Iowa are the Floyd, Little Sioux, Boyer, 
and Nodaway. There are numerous rapids and falls, which afford 
valuable water-power. 

4. Soil and Climate .—Tho soil in general is fertile, except in 
some parts of the north, where it is rugged and sterile. The winters 
are severe, but the summers are mild and delightful; the heat is 
greatly modified by the constant west and southwest winds. Owing 
to the excellent natural drainage of its undulating surface, Iowa is 
one of the most healthy States in the Union. 

5. Products.—Indian corn, wheat, and oats are staples. Other 
products are hay, pork, live-stock, potatoes, wool, butter, and cheese. 

Iowa.— -1. Whcro is it? Length nnd breadth? Area? 2. Surface? 3. 
Rivers? The Mississippi and its affluents? Cedar River? Tho Missouri nnd its 
affluents? Of rapids and falls? 4. Soil? Climate? 5. Products ? Minerals? 




168 


THE UNITED STATES. 


The lead-mines, in the northeast, adjoining the States of Illinois and 
Wisconsin, are rich and productive. Coal and iron are the other 
principal minerals. 

6 . Population. —The people are chiefly emigrants from the more 
eastern States and from Europe. They number 675,000. 

7. Chief Towns. —Des Moines, the capital, lies on the right bank 
of Des Moines River, at its junction with Raccoon Fork. 

Dubuque ( doo-boohk / ), on the right bank of the Mississippi, is a flou¬ 
rishing town, and is a great depot for the product of the lead-mines 
of Iowa and Wisconsin; it is noted for its picturesque situation. 

Davenport, also on the Mississippi, at the foot of the Upper Rapids, 
opposite Rock Island in Illinois, is an important town, surrounded 
by beautiful scenery. It is the seat of Mount Ida Female College. 

Iowa City, on the left bank of Iowa River, is the seat of the State 
University. Keokuk, on the Mississippi River, at the foot of the 
Lower Falls, is the head of navigation for the largest steamers, and 
has rapidly grown into an important town. 

Burlington, formerly the capital, is on the Mississippi. It has 
many handsome public buildings, an extensive trade, and is the seat 
of Burlington University. 

Muscatine, Oskaloosa, Mount Pleasant, Fort Madison, Washington, 
Lyons, and Farmington are flourishing and prosperous towns. 

8 . Education. —The Educational Fund of Iowa is $1,000,000. 
According to the State census of 1859, there were 28 colleges, with 
upwards of 2000 students, and more than 230,000 children at school. 


MICHIGAN. 

Questions on Map No. 15, Michigan. — Bound Michigan. 
Michigan consists of two peninsulas. Bound the northern. The 
southern. Name the five lakes around and in Michigan. What 
bays in Lake Superior? What strait between Superior and Huron? 
Ans. tSaut St. Marie ( soo-sent-may're ). Straits between Michigan 
and Huron ? River between Huron and St. Clair ? Between St. Clair 


6. Population? 7. What of Des Moines? Dubuque? Davenport? Iowa 
City? Keokuk? Burlington? Other towns? 8. Education? 




MICHIGAN. 


1G0 


and Erie? What bays in Lake Michigan? In Huron? What one 
in Erie? What islands in Lake Superior? In Lake Michigan? In 
Lake Huron? What rivers in Michigan flew into Lake Huron? 
Lake Erie? Lake Michigan on the east? On the west? Where is 
the copper-region ? The iron-region ? Where are the Pictured Rocks ? 
What and where is the capital? Where is Detroit? Grand Rapids? 
Grand Haven? Ann Arbor? Port Huron? Monroe? Niles? Jack- 
son ? Kalamazoo ? Ypsilanti ? 

1. Position and Extent. —Michigan lies north of Ohio, Indiana, 
and Wisconsin. Its greatest length, from northwest to southeast, is 
about 4G0 miles, and its greatest breadth about 300 miles. Area, 
56,250 square miles. 

2. Natural Features.— Peninsulas. —Michigan consists of 
two peninsulas, separated from each other by the waters of Lake 
Michigan, Straits of Mackinaw, and Lake Huron. The surface of 
the southern peninsula is an undulating plain; the elevation of the 
ridge separating the rivers that flow east from those that flow west 
scarcely exceeds 300 feet above the level of the lakes. The northern 
peninsula is rugged. There is a dividing ridge, with numerous 
spurs, between Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. 

3. Lakes .—Michigan is nearly surrounded by the great lakes. On 
the north is Lake Superior; penetrating the State, and nearly sepa¬ 
rating it into two parts, is Lake Michigan; on the east are Lakes Hu¬ 
ron, St. Clair, and Erie. These are all connected by navigable straits 
or rivers, and afford facilities for an immense commerce. 

4. Rivers .—The principal rivers of the southern peninsula 
flowing east into Lakes Huron and Erie are the Au Sable, Saginaw, 
Huron, and Raisin ; those flowing west into Lake Michigan are the 
Manistee, Muskegon, Grand. Kalamazoo, and St. Joseph. The prin¬ 
cipal river of the northern peninsula is the Menom'onee, which flows 
into Green Bay. 

5. Islands .—There are several small islands belonging to this 
State; the most important are Isle Royale and Grand Island, in Lake 


MirmoAX. —1. Where is it? Length amt breadth ? Area? 2. Peninsulas? 
Surface of the southern peninsula ? Northern ? 3. What of the lakes ? How 
connected? 4. Rivers of the southern peninsula? Of the northern? 5. 
Islands? What curiosities? 


15 



170 


THE UNITED STATES. 


Superior; and, near the Straits of Mackinaw, St. James, Beaver, 
Mackinaw, Bois Blanc (bwah blong), and Drummond. 

Curiosities .—On the coast of Lake Superior, for a distance 
of more than 10 miles, are the famous Pictured Rocks, composed 
of sandstone of various colors, often rising 200 to 300 feet perpen¬ 
dicularly. These rocks are so worn by the action of wind and waves 
as to bear striking resemblances to castles, temples, towers, and other 
forms of grace and beauty. 

6 . Soil and Climate .—The soil of the southern peninsula, 
particularly in the middle and southern part, is of great fertility, 
and the climate is milder than in the same latitude on the Atlantic 
border. The northern peninsula is sterile, and the climate cold and 
rigorous. 

7. Products.—The staples are wheat, Indian corn, oats, and po¬ 
tatoes. Hay, wool, butter, and cheese are important products. 
Copper and iron are found. The copper-mines of the northern 
peninsula, near the shores of Lake Superior, are the richest in the 
world. Copper is also found in Isle Royale. 

8 . Population.—The people, chiefly descendants of emigrants 
from the Eastern States, number 749,000. 

9. Chief Towns.—Lansing, on Grand River, is the capital. It 
has a handsome State-House, and is the centre of an active trade. 

Detroit, the chief city, lies on the right bank of Detroit River, 18 
miles above Lake Erie; it has a fine harbor, with a depth sufficient 
for the largest vessels. Detroit has an extensive lake commerce, 
superior railroad communications, and an extensive trade with 
Canada. It was founded by the French, in 1670. 

Grand Rapids, on the rapids of Grand River, is one of the most 
important inland towns of the State. Adrian, on a branch of the 
river Raisin, has an active trade and extensive water-powerv Kala¬ 
mazoo, on Kalamazoo River, is noted for its rapid growth, and for 
its manufactures. The State Insane Asylum is located here. 

Grand Haven, at the mouth of Grand River, on Lake Michigan, 
is an important town, has considerable commerce, and is at the 
western extremity of a railroad which crosses the State. 


6. Soil and climate of the two peninsulas ? 7. Products ? Minerals ? Cop¬ 
per-mines? 8. Population ? 9. Lansing? Detroit? Grand Rapids? Adrian? 
Kalamazoo? Grand Haven? Other towns? 



WISCONSIN. 171 

Ann Arbor, Port Huron, Monroe, Niles, and Jackson are important 
towns. 

10. Education.— The principal collegiate institutions in the State 
are the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, St. Philip’s College 
at Detroit, Kalamazoo College at Kalamazoo, Albion Female College 
at Albion, and the State Normal School at Ypsilanti. The school 
fund is large. The number of academies, seminaries, and public 
schools is sufficient to enable all of a proper age to attend school. 


WISCONSIN. 

Questions on Map No. 15, Wisconsin.— Bound Wisconsin. 
What lake north? East? Where is Lake Winnebago? What group 
of islands in Lake Superior? Where is Fond du Lac (Bay)? Green 
Bay? What rivers form a large portion of the western boundary? 
Into what does the St. Croix flow? What other rivers in Wisconsin 
flow into the Mississippi? Describe Fox River. Rock River. St. 
Louis River. Menomonee River. What and where is the capital ? 
Where is Milwaukee? Racine? Janesville? Oshkosh? Fond du Lac 
(town)? Watertown? Kenosha? LaCrosse? Portage? Beaver Dam? 
Sheboygan? Prairie du Chien ? Columbus? Grand Rapids? Apple- 
ton? Iloricon ? Green Bay (town) ? Superior? LaPointe? 

1. Position and Extent. —Wisconsin lies west of Michigan and 
Lake Michigan, and north of Illinois. Its greatest length is about 
300 miles, and its greatest breadth about 250 miles. Area, 54,000 
square miles. 

2. Natural Features.— Surface. —There are no mountains in 
Wisconsin. The surface is in general an elevated rolling table-land. 
There are two ridges, one on the north, dividing the waters flowing 
into the Mississippi from those flowing into Lake Superior ; the other, 
in the south, drained by the Rock River and its affluents. The sur¬ 
face falls from these ridges to the lakes and rivers adjacent. 

3. Lakes. —Lake Superior lies on the north, and Lake Michigan 
on the east; besides these, there are a great number of small lakes, 

10 Educntion, school fund, <fee.? Wisconsin.— 1. Where is it? Length and 
breadth ? Area ? 2. Surface ? What of two ridges ? 3. What of the lakes ? 






172 


THE UNITED STATES. 


particularly in the central and northern parts. The largest of these 
is the Winnebago, which is navigable for small steamers. 

4. Rivers. —The Mississippi River is the western boundary for 
more than 150 miles; its principal affluents in this State are the St. 
Croix, Chippewa, Black, and Wisconsin, all flowing in a southwesterly 
direction. Fox River is the outlet of Winnebago Lake, and flows 
into Green Bay; in its course of not more than 50 miles, it falls a 
distance of 170 feet, affording a series of valuable water-powers. The 
Menomonee also flows into Green Bay. 

At Portage, when the streams are full, Fox River and Wisconsin 
River, though flowing in opposite directions, commingle their waters. 
Rock River flows into Illinois. The rivers flowing into Lake Superior 
arc unimportant. 

5. Coast-line .—The coast-line on Lake Superior, including the 
indentations, is about 140 miles; that on Lake Michigan, including 
Green Bay, is about 300 miles, and affords several good harbors. 
The Apostle Islands in Lake Superior belong to Wisconsin. 



MADISON. 


4. What of the Mississippi River? Of its affluents? Fox River? What 
at Portage when the streams are full ? Other rivers ? 5. Coast-line ? 



WISCONSIN. 


173 


G. Soil and Climate .—The agricultural resources of the middlo 
and southern parts of the State are great; but in the north, and upon 
the shores of Lake Superior, much of the surface is covered with 
boulders, lakes, and marshes. The climate is severe, and the win¬ 
ters are long, but not subject to the sudden changes of temperature 
that prevail further east. It is in general very healthy. 

7. Products. —Wheat, Indian corn, and oats are staples. Other 
important products are potatoes, live-stock, lumber, and tobacco. 
The lead-mines in the southwest are rich and productive. Copper 
and iron are found near Lake Superior. 

8 . Population. —The State was originally settled by the French. 
Its population consists chiefly of emigrants and descendants of emi¬ 
grants from the more eastern States. They number 776,000. 

9. Chief Towns. —Madison, the capital, lies upon two of the “ four 
lakes” in the southern part of the State. It has a fine State-IIouso 
and other handsome buildings, including Wisconsin University. 
The scenery surrounding Madison is picturesque and beautiful. 

10. Milwaukee, the largest and most important city in the State, 
is situated on a bluff, 100 feet high, that rises abruptly from the 
west shore of Lake Michigan. It is a handsome city, and has supe¬ 
rior commercial facilities by the lakes, and by the numerous railroads 
that centre here. Next to Chicago, it is the largest wheat-market in 
the United States, and has a large trade in other grains and in lumber. 

11. Racine lies on Lake Michigan ; it is the second city in popu¬ 
lation, has considerable commerce, and many fine public buildings, 
among which is Racine College. 

12. Janesville, on both sides of Rock River, near the Illinois line, 
is the third city in population. It has an extensive water-power and 
numerous manufactories. Janesville is a great railroad centre, and 
a flourishing place. 

13. Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, AYatertown, Kenosha, La Crosse, Port¬ 
age, Sheboygan, and Beaver Dam arc important towns, noted for 
their enterprise and rapid growth. Superior, on the Fond du Lac, 
is the chief town on Lake Superior. La Pointe, on Madeline Island, 
is the oldest town in the State. 

14. Education. —Wisconsin has a considerable school fund, and 

6. Soil? Climate? 7. Products? Minerals? 8. Population? 9. What of 
Madison? 10. Milwaukee? What of wheat, <fcc. ? 11. Racine? 12. Janes¬ 

ville? 13. Other towns? 14. Education, colleges, <fcc. ? 

15* 



174 


THE UNITED STATES 


cherishes with great care all Her educational institutions. The State 
University is at Madison. There are colleges at Lawrence, Beloit, 
and Racine. There are several female colleges and seminaries, 
numerous academies, more than 5000 free public schools, and a 
large number of private schools. 


MINNESOTA. 



Questions on Map No. 16, Minnesota.— Bound Minnesota. 
What lake in the northeast? On the northern boundary? Name 

other lakes. What 
river that flows 
south is a part of 
the eastern 
boundary? De¬ 
scribe the Mis¬ 
sissippi River in 
this State. What 
river flowing 
north forms a part 
of the western 
boundary? What 
river flows into 
Lake Superior? 
Name the princi¬ 
pal affluents of 
the Mississippi 
River in Minne¬ 
sota. Of the Red 
River of the 
North. Describe 
Rainy Lake 
River. What and 
Minnehaha falls. where is the capi¬ 

tal ? Where is St. Anthony? Minneapolis? Stillwater? Winona? 
Hastings? Mankato? Faribault? 












MINNESOTA. 


175 


1. Position and Extent. —Minnesota lies north of Iowa and 
west of Wisconsin and Lake Superior. Its greatest length is about 
380 miles, and its greatest breadth about 350 miles. Area, 83,500 
square miles. 

2. Natural Features. — Surface .—Minnesota occupies the sum¬ 
mit of the interior plain of the North American Continent, and is 
elevated about 2000 feet above the sea. In the northern part tha 
dividing ridge, called the “ Height of Land,” separates the waters 
that flow south into the Gulf of Mexico from those that flow north 
into Hudson Bay ; the State is generally an undulating plain falling 
with the course of the rivers. 

3. Lakes .—Lake Superior lies on the northeast, with a coast-line 
of about 150 miles. There are numerous small lakes; the largest 
of these are Lake of the Woods, Rainy, Vermilion, Leech, and Red 
Lakes. They abound in fish. 

4. Rivers .—The Red River of the North rises in Minnesota, 
forms a part of its western boundary, and flows into Lake Winni¬ 
peg, in British America. The Mississippi, having its source in Lake 
Itasca, flows nearly through the State in a southeasterly direction, 
and forms for more than 100 miles its eastern boundary. The 
principal affluents of the Mississippi in this State are the St. Croix, 
Minnesota, Cannon, and Root Rivers. The St. Louis flows into 
Lake Superior. 

5. Cataracts .—In the rivers of Minnesota there are numerous 
picturesque rapids and cascades: the most remarkable are the Falls 
of St. Anthony, on the Mississippi; the river is here about 350 yards 
in width, and the rapids and falls include a descent of 58 feet. 
Near St. Anthony are Minnehaha Falls, a romantic and beautiful 
cascade, with a perpendicular fall of 40 feet. 

6 . Soil and Climate—The soil in the valleys of the great rivers, 
except in the north, is generally fertile. The winters are cold, clear, 
and dry; the summers are warm. Many invalids seek a residence 
in Minnesota on account of the purity of the air and the salubrity 
of the climate. 

7. Products. —Wheat, oats, Indian corn, and potatoes are staples. 

Minnesota. —1. Where is it? Length and breadth? Area? 2. Surface? 
What in the northern part? 3. Lakes? 4. Red River of the North ? Missis¬ 
sippi and its affluents ? Other rivers? 5. What cataracts? 6. Soil? Climate? 
7. Products? Trade? 




THE UNITED STATES. 


176 

Some of the other products are wool, ginseng, cranberries, lumber, 
and furs. 

Minnesota has a considerable trade with the Selkirk settlement, 
Fort Garry, in British America; supplies are transported thence by 
steamboats on the Red River of the North. 

8 . Population. —The population consists chiefly of emigrants 
from the more eastern States, and number 172,000. 

9. Chief Towns. —St. Paul, the capital, and largest city, is situ¬ 
ated on the left bank of the Mississippi River, 2100 miles from its 
mouth, at the head of steamboat navigation. It is noted for its 
rapid growth. 

St. Anthony, 
the second 
town in popu¬ 
lation, lies on 
the Mississip¬ 
pi River, at the 
Falls of St. An¬ 
thony, and is 
a flourishing 
place. 

Minneapolis, 
also on the 
Mississippi, 
nearly oppo¬ 
site St. Antho¬ 
ny, is the third 
town in popu¬ 
lation, and is surrounded by a rich agricultural region. Stillwater, 
Winona, Hastings, Mankato, and Faribault, are important places. 

10. Education. —The school fund is large. There is a State 
Normal School at Winona. In all the principal towns there are 
union and high schools and common schools throughout the State, 
wherever the population is sufficiently dense. There is a State 
University at St. Anthony, and a college at St. Paul. 



SUSPENSION BRIDGE CROSSING THE MISSISSIPPI AT MINNEAPOLIS. 


8. Population? 9. What of St. Paul? St. Anthony? Minneapolis? Other 
places ? 10. Education ? 




KANSAS. 


177 


KANSAS. 

Questions on Map No. 18, Kansas. —Bound Kansas. What 
river is a part of the eastern boundary? What large river flows 
into the Missouri ? Name some of the affluents of the Kansas River. 
What river enters the State in the west, and flows east more than 
half through the State and thence south into Indian Territory? 
Where is the Osage River? The Neosho? What and where is 
the capital ? Where is Leavenworth? Atchison? Lawrence? Le- 
compton ? Wyandott? Kickapoo? Palmyra? Iowa Point? Mt. 
Pleasant ? 

1. Position and Extent. —Kansas lies west of Missouri and south 
of Nebraska; its greatest length is 400 miles, and its breadth 200 
miles. Area, 80,000 square miles. 

2. Natural Features.— Surface. —There are no mountains nor 
great elevations in Kansas. The surface is nearly uniform, being a 
succession of undulating ridges and valleys. 

3. Rivers. —The Missouri River forms the eastern boundary of 
the State for a distance of about 75 miles; the Kansas River is its 
principal affluent. The chief tributaries of the Kansas are the Blue, 
Republican Fork, Solomon’s Fork, and Smoky Hill Fork. The 
Arkansas River enters the State in the west, and flows in an easterly 
and southerly direction into the State of Arkansas; the chief tribu¬ 
tary of the Arkansas in Kansas is the Neosho. The Osage River 
rises in Kansas and flows into the State of Missouri. 

4. Soil and Climate. —The eastern portion is a succession of 
fertile prairies, with a deep rich soil, and an abundance of timber 
on the streams. In the middle and west it is thinly wooded, and 
the soil is light. The climate is mild and healthy; the winters are 
short, and snow seldom falls in great quantities. In the months of 
February, March, and April, the winds are severe, and the changes 
of temperature sudden. 

5. Products. —The agricultural resources of Kansas are not fully 
developed ; the soil is adapted to all the grain-crops of the West, 

Kansas._1. Where is it? Length and breadth ? Area? 2. Surface? 3. 

What of tho Missouri and its affluent? Name the tributaries of the Kansas. 
What of tho Arkansas, and its tributary? Tho Osage? 4. Soil? Climate? 
5. Products? 




1T8 


THE UNITED STATES 


and to fruits and garden vegetables. Cotton has been raised in the 
southern part. The forests are valuable. 

6 . Population.—The people are chiefly emigrants from the East¬ 
ern States; they number 107,000. 

7. Chief Towns. —Topeka, on the right bank of the Kansas 
River, is the capital. Leavenworth and Atchison, on the Missouri 
River, and Lawrence and Lecompton, on the Kansas River, are im¬ 
portant towns. 

Wyandott, Kickapoo, Palmyra, Iowa Point, and Mount Pleasant 
are flourishing places. 

8 . Education.—Some steps have been taken towards the organi¬ 
zation of a public-school system. There are already many well- 
established and prosperous seminaries and academies. 


CALIFORNIA. 



6. Population ? 7. What of Topeka? Leavenworth and Atchison ? Law 

*ence and Lecompton? Other towns? 8. Education? 


STREET IN SAN FRANCISCO. 






























CALIFORNIA. 


179 


Questions on Map No. 19, California. —Bound California. 
What bays on the Pacific coast? What cape? Points? What 
islands near the coast on the south? Lakes in the north? In the 
south? What mountain range in the east? In the west? Where 
is Mt. Shasta? Mt. San Bernardino? Describe the Sacramento 
lliver. The San Joaquin. Name some of the affluents of the 
Sacramento. What rivers flow into the Pacific Ocean? Where is 
the Colorado? Where and what is the capital? Where is San 
Francisco? Los Angeles ? Benicia? Stockton? Marysville? Yuba 
City ? Sonora ? San Diego ? 

1. Position and Extent. —California lies on the Pacific Ocean, 
and is south of Oregon, and west of Nevada and Arizona. Its great¬ 
est length is about 800 miles, and its greatest width about 250 miles. 
Area, 189,000 square miles. 

2. Natural Features.— Mountains .—The Coast Range of moun¬ 
tains extends through the State, nearly parallel with the Pacific 
Ocean, and at a distance of 30 to 80 miles from the coast; Mount 
Shasta, 14,000 feet high, in the north, and Mount San Bernardino, 
8500 feet high, in the south, are among the loftiest peaks, and arc 
covered with 
perpetual 
snow. Tra¬ 
versing the 
State near the 
eastern bound¬ 
ary, and uni¬ 
ting in the 
south with the 
Coast Moun¬ 
tains, is the 
Sierra Nevada 
(Snowy 
Range). Of 
these two 
ranges, the lat¬ 
ter is the highest, and its summits are perpetually snow-capped. 

California. —1. Where is it? Length and breadth? Area? 2. Coast 
Mountains? Of the Sierra Nevada? What between these two ranges? 








3 . Coast-line? Islands? 4. What of the principal rivers? Affluents of the 
Sacramento? Other rivers? Colorado? 


180 THE UNITED STATES. 


Between the Coast Ranges and the Pacific are undulating fertile 
valleys 5 and between the Sierra Nevada and the Coast Range lies 
the Great Valley of California, 550 miles in length, and from 80 to 
150 miles in width. 

3. Coast-line ✓—The coast-line extends upwards of 800 miles, 
and is moderately indented. There are some good bays and harbors; 
the most capacious is San Francisco Bay, the narrow entrance to 
which is called the “Golden Gate.” There are a few small islands 
on the coast; the most important is the Santa Barbara Group. 

4. Rivers .—The principal rivers are the Sacramento, which rises 
in the north, and flows south into San Francisco Bay, between the 

Coast and the 
Sierra Nevada 
Ranges, and the 
San J oaquin, 
which rises in 
the south, and 
flows northward 
between the 
same ranges un¬ 
til it unites with 
the Sacramento. 
Both of these 
rivers are navi¬ 
gable for nearly 
100 miles. The 
Feather, Yuba, 
and American 
Rivers are afflu¬ 
ents of the Sa¬ 
cramento. The 
other rivers that 
flow into the 
Pacific are un¬ 
important. The 
Colorado River 







CALIFORNIA. 181 

forms a portion of the boundary between California and Ari¬ 
zona. 

5. Curiositie s .—Perhaps the most remarkable cataract known 
is the Yosemite Falls; the Merced River, a stream of about 70 feet 
in width, leaps down 2000 feet in three distinct cataracts,—the first 
being about 1300, the second 250, and the third 450 feet. Iu the same 
valley is another cataract, with a fall of 900 feet: the surrounding 
scenery is unmatched for wild and romantic beauty. 

The Geysers of Napa county, and the Natural Bridges of Cala¬ 
veras county, are remarkable objects. This State is noted for the 
tallest trees in the world; they are found in groves on the western 
declivities of the Sierra Nevada, and attain a height of 300 to 400 
feet and a circumference of from 75 to 100 feet. 

6 . Soil and Climate .—The valleys of California are rich and 
productive; many portions of the mountain districts are adapted to 
grazing. The climate varies greatly. The winters are warm and 
wet; the summers are usually dry; on the coast there is compara¬ 
tively little difference in the temperature of the two seasons. At 
San Francisco the mercury seldom rises above 80°. 

7. Products. —The agricultural resources of California are great. 
Barley, wheat, Indian corn, oats, wine, and lumber are important 
products. Successful experiments have been made in the cultiva¬ 
tion of cotton, tobacco, and sugar-cane. Cattle and sheep abound. 
In the southern part numerous tropical fruits flourish. 

The great source of wealth is the gold-fields, which are the richest 
in the world. There are also extensive deposits of quicksilver; the 
New Almaden mines are among the most productive known. Silver, 
copper, iron, and coal are said to be abundant. The mineral wealth 
of California is apparently exhaustless, and, notwithstanding the 
immense products, it is by no means fully developed. 

8 . Population. —The people consist of a few Mexicans, descend¬ 
ants of the first settlers, and of emigrants from the other States, 
from nearly every country in Europe, and from China. Popula¬ 
tion, 380,000. 

9. Chief Towns. —Sacramento City, on the left bank of tho 

5. What is said of Yosemite Falls? Tho Geysers and Natural Bridges? 
Tallest trees? 6. Soil and climate? 7. Products? What of gold, quicksilver, 
and other minerals ? Of the mineral wealth ? 8. Population? 9. What of 

Sacramento City ? San Francisco? Los Angeles? Other towns? 

16 



182 


THE UNITED STATES. 


Sacramento, at its junction with the American River, 120 miles from 
the sea, is the capital. It is open to the navigation of large vessels 
at all seasons of the year. It has an extensive trade by steamboats 
up to the gold-regions of the Feather River. Many of the public 
buildings are large and imposing. 

San Francisco lies on the west shore of San Francisco Bay, and 
has a fine harbor. This city is one of the most remarkable in the 
world: none ever sprang so suddenly into a populous and wealthy 
capital. In 1845, it contained 150 inhabitants; in 1860, 57,000. 
San Francisco has considerable foreign commerce, and an extensive 
inland trade. The city is handsomely laid out; and there are many 
fine public buildings, among which are the Custom-House, Branch 
Mint, Marine Hospital, and Music Hall. 

Los Angeles (City of the Angels), so named from its delightful cli¬ 
mate, is surrounded by extensive vineyards, and is the chief depot 
of the wine-trade. 

Benicia, Stockton, Marysville, Yuba City, Sonora, and San Diego 
are important and prosperous towns. 

10. Education. —A public-school system is established, and a 
considerable school-fund has been provided. In some of the larger 
towns the schools are entirely free. There are two colleges in Santa 
Clara,—Santa Clara College, which has a library of 10,000 volumes, 
and the University of the Pacific,—both founded in 1851. There are 
colleges also at San Francisco, Vacaville, and Santa Inez. 


OREGON. 

Questions on Map No. 19, Oregon.— Bound Oregon. What 
capes on the Pacific coast? What mountain range on the coast? 
What range through the centre? What other range farther east? 
Where is Mt. Hood? Mt. Jefferson? Three Sisters? What lakes 
in the south? What river is a part of the northern boundary? A 
part of the eastern? Into what does. Lewis Fork flow? Name the 
affluents of Lewis Fork in Oregon. Of the Columbia. What 
rivers empty into the Pacific? What and where is the capital ? Where 


10. Education ? Colleges ? 




OREGON. 183 

is Portland? Eugene City? Oregon? Roseburg? Dallas? Cor¬ 
vallis ? Astoria ? Cascade City ? 

1. Position and Extent. —Oregon lies on the Pacific Ocean, and 
south of Washington Territory. Its greatest length is about 450 
miles, and its breadth about 250 miles. Area, 95,000 square miles. 

2. Natural Features. — Mountains .—There are three moun¬ 
tain ranges in Oregon: first, the Coast Mountains, a broken chain, 
which lies along the coast, with an elevation of nearly 2000 feet; 
second, the Cascade Range, about 150 miles inland, and parallel 
with the former; third, the Blue Mountains, which extend from 
southwest to northeast across the State. The Cascade Range is the 
loftiest. The highest peaks are Mount Hood, 13,000 feet, Mount 
Jefferson, and Three Sisters, each 11,000 feet. These peaks are 
extinct volcanoes, and rise into the region of perpetual snow. 

3. Coast-line .—The coast-line extends about 300 miles, and is 
a bold, iron-bound shore, with few good harbors. 

4. River s .—The Columbia River forms the chief part of the 
northern boundary of the State; and its principal affluent, Lewis 
Fork, a portion of the western boundary. The Malheur and Owyhee 
Rivers flow into Lewis Fork. The Willamette flows into the Colum¬ 
bia River, and the Umpqua and Rogue into the Pacific Ocean. 

5. Soil and Climate .—Nearly all the tillable land is on the 
west side of the Cascade Mountains; the valley of the Willamette, 
which is 120 miles long by about 35 broad, is the most fertile portion. 
North of the Blue Mountain range the country is adapted to grazing. 
The central and southern parts of the State are mostly rocky and 
barren. 

The climate is mild for the latitude. West of the Cascade Moun¬ 
tains the rains are excessive; the sun is often hidden for a month, 
and drizzling rains and thick mists prevail during a considerable 
portion of the year. 

G. Products. —The principal agricultural products are wheat, oats, 
potatoes, and various fruits. Gold has been found in the southern 
part of Oregon, and silver, lead, copper, and iron in various places. 


Oregon. — 1. Whore is it? Length and breadth? Area? 2. Mountains? 
Describe the Coast Mountains. The Cascade Range. The Blue Mountains. The 
highest, and what of them. 3. Coast-line? 4. Columbia River and its affluents? 
Willamette and others? 5. Soil? Climate? 6. Products? Gold? Fisheries? 



184 


THE UNITED STATES. 


The fisheries are important. Salmon are caught in nearly every 
stream. 

7. Population. —The people are chiefly emigrants from the older 
States, and number 53,000. 

8 . Chief Towns. —Salem, on Willamette River, is the capital. 
Portland, on the same river, 10 miles from its mouth, is the chief 
seaport, and the largest town. It is surrounded by a dense forest of 
tall fir and other evergreen trees. 

Eugene City, Oregon, Roseburg, Dallas, Corvallis, Pacific City, 
and Astoria are important towns. 

9. Education. —A school organization and a school-fund have been 
established. A university, two colleges, several academies, and more 
than 300 common schools are in operation. 


NEVADA. 

Questions on Map No. 19, Nevada. —Bound Nevada. Has 
Nevada any sea-coast? What mountains in the west? In the east? 
What lakes in Nevada? What rivers in the north and west? Into 
what do these rivers flow? River in the south? Where is the Great 
Interior Basin? What and where is the capital? Where is Vir¬ 
ginia City? Dayton? Genoa? Washoe City? Humboldt City? 

1. Position and Extent. —Nevada lies east of California, and 
south of Oregon and Idaho. Its greatest length is 420 miles, and 
its greatest breadth 350 miles. Area, 112,000 square miles. Nevada 
was admitted as a State in 1864. 

2. Natural Features.— Mountains. —The Sierra Nevada range 
lies near its western, and the Humboldt Mountains near its eastern, 
boundary. The Great Interior Basin is partly in Nevada and partly 
in Utah, and is almost a desert region. 

3. Lakes. —There are numerous salt lakes near the base of the 
Sierra Nevada, in the west; the largest are Pyramid, Walker, 
Carson, Mud, and Humboldt. 

4. Rivers. —The Colorado is the largest river. The others are 

7. Population? 8. Salem? Portland? Other towns? 9. Education? 
Nevada. —1. Where is it? Length and breadth ? Area? 2. Mountains? Great 
Interior Basin? 3, Lakes? 4, Rivers? What is remarkable about them? 





TERRITORIES. 


185 


the Humboldt, which rises in the Humboldt Mountains, and the 
Walker and Carson, which rise in the Sierra Nevada; these rise and 
terminate within the limits of the State, and flow into lakes of the 
same name, that have no visible outlet 

5. /Soil and Climate .—In the west are many fertile valleys 
well suited to agriculture; with this exception the soil is sterile. The 
climate is delightful, and the atmosphere pure, dry, and healthy. 

6 . Products. —But little attention has been given to agriculture, 
although good crops may be made in all the watered valleys. The 
great source of wealth is in its exceedingly rich and productive gold 
and silver mines, found on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, 
and in Washoe and Carson Valleys. 

7. Population. —The inhabitants are emigrants from other States, 
and are estimated to number, in 1865, 40,000. The Pah Utah In¬ 
dians are the most considerable tribe in Nevada. 

8 . Chief Towns. —Carson City, on Carson River, is the capital. 
The other important towns are Virginia City, Dayton, Jacobsville, 
and Genoa. 

9. The overland mail route passes through this State. One of the 
projected routes for the Pacific Railroad is through Nevada, near its 
northern border, and crosses the Sierra Nevada at the Madeline Pass. 


TERRITORIES. 

1. The difference between a State and a Territory is this: A State 
makes its own laws, has a written constitution, chooses its rulers, 
and is represented both in the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the United States. A Territory is governed by laws made by 
Congress; it has no written constitution; its rulers arc appointed 
by the President of the United States; it sends no senators to the 
Senate, and it is represented in the House only by a delegate, who 
has no vote. 

2. There are ten organized Territories in the western part of the 


5. Soil? Climate? 6. Products? Gold and silver? 7. Population? In. 
dians? 8. Carson City? Other towns? 9. What of the overland mail route? 
Pncific Railroad route? Territories. —1. What is a State? What is a Ter¬ 
ritory? 2. How many Territories? What is said of them? Name them. 

16* 




186 


TERRITORIES. 


United States; these may become States when they attain sufficient 
population, have formed and adopted a State Constitution, and been 
admitted by Congress. They are Nebraska, Colorado, Indian, New 
Mexico, Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Utah, and Ari¬ 
zona. 


NEBRASKA. 

Questions on Map No. 17, Nebraska. — Bound Nebraska. 
What river forms a part of the northern and all of the eastern bound¬ 
ary ? What rivers flow into the Missouri in Nebraska ? What rivers 
flow into the Nebraska River on the north? On the south? Where 
are the Great Sand Hills ? Where and what is the capital ? Where 
is Nebraska City? Bellevue? Salem? Plattsmouth? Logan? 
De Soto ? Brownsville? What river does the Pony Express route to 
California follow for some distance? Where is Overland City? 

1. Position and Extent. —Nebraska lies west of Iowa, and north 
of Kansas and Colorado. Its greatest length is about 400 miles, and 
its greatest breadth 200 miles. Area, 76,000 square miles. 

2. Natural Features.— Surface. —Nebraska is an elevated 
prairie, moderately undulating; the western part, a region of sand 
hills, is the highest, from whence it falls gradually to the eastern 
boundary. 

3. Rivers. —The Missouri River bounds Nebraska on the east, 
and is, for about 75 miles, its northern boundary. Its principal afflu¬ 
ents are the Niobrara and the Nebraska: the latter flows through the 
State, and, with its numerous tributaries, abundantly waters the inte¬ 
rior. The other affluents of the Missouri are inconsiderable streams. 

4. Soil and Climate. —The soil4n the western portion of Ne¬ 
braska is sandy and barren; the eastern is productive. The climate 
is mild, and not unlike that of Missouri. 

5. Products. —The agricultural resources of this territory promise 
to be excellent; the eastern part is adapted to the grains grown in 
Iowa and Missouri, but full development of its resources has not yet 
been made. 

Nebraska.—1. Where is it? Length and breadth? Area? 2. Surface? 
3. Rivers ? 4. Soil ? Climate ? 5. Products ? 




COLORADO. 


18T 


6 . Population.— The people are chiefly emigrants from other 
States, and number 29,000. The Indians are the Dakotas, Omahas, 
Pawnees, and Sioux ( sooz). 

7. Chief Towns.— Omaha ( o'ma-haw) City, on the Missouri, is 
the capital. The other important towns are Nebraska City, Bellevue, 
Salem, Plattsmouth, and De Soto. 

8 . The overland mail and telegraph route to California enters the 
Territory in the southeast, and follows the Nebraska River to the 
western boundary. 


COLORADO. 



GOLD-DIGGINGS, BLACK-HAWK POINT, COLORADO. 


Questions on Map No. 18, Colorado. —Bound Colorado. What 
mountains range through the centre? What peaks? What rivers 
rise in the Rocky Mountains, and flow east ? What flow west and 
southwest? Where is the gold region? Where and what is the 
capital ? Where is Golden City ? Colorado City ? Auraria ? 

6. Population? Indians? 7. Omaha City? Other towns? 8. Overland 
mail route ? 






188 


TERRITORIES. 


Boulder City? Mountain City? Fountain City? Jefferson? Canon 
City? Bent's Fort? 

1. Position and Extent. —Colorado lies between Kansas and 
Utah, and south of Dakota and Nebraska. Its length is about 420 
miles, and its breadth 275. Area, 105,000 square miles. 

2. Natural Features.— Mountains. —The Rocky Mountains 
traverse Colorado from north to south; there are several ranges and 
cross ranges, and numerous towering peaks; the loftiest are Long's 
and Pike’s Peaks, each about 12,000 feet high. There are many 
valleys among the mountains; but the surface, both east and west 
of the Rocky Mountains, is rugged. 

In the southern part of Colorado the Rocky Mountains are called 
the Sierra Madre ( se-er'rah mah'dray ), which name they retain 
throughout Mexico and Central America. 

3. Riv ers. —The Arkansas River, the south fork of the Nebraska 
River, and numerous tributaries, rise on the eastern slope of the Rocky 
Mountains, and flow east. The Grand, and several tributaries of the 
Colorado River, rise on the western slope, and flow in a southwesterly 
direction into Utah. 

4. Soil and Climate. —The mountains are densely wooded 
with pine, spruce, fir, and cedar; with this exception, and excepting 
also the narrow valleys on the streams, and the country at the base 
of the mountains, the surface is covered with vast wastes of sands. 
The elevation of the valley is about 5000 feet above the sea, and the 
atmosphere is clear and invigorating; the winters are mild, with 
occasional periods of intense cold. Although the changes in the 
weather are much more sudden and severe than on the Atlantic coast, 
the climate is healthy. 

5. Products. —The agricultural resources of Colorado are limited; 
the chief occupation of the people is gold-mining. The gold-mines 
are found exclusively in the mountains; quartz-mining and gulch¬ 
mining are both pursued. The yield of gold in 1860 exceeded 
$4,000,000. Iron, lead, coal, and other minerals have been found. 

6 . Population. —The people are chiefly emigrants from other 


Colorado.—1. Where is it? Length and breadth? Area? 2. Mountains? 
Highest peaks ? Valleys, &c. ? What name do the Rocky Mountains take in 
the southern part? 3. Rivers? 4. What of the soil? Climate? 5. Produots? 
Gold ? 6. Population ? Indians ? 



INDIAN. 189 

States, and numbered 37,000 in I860. The Indians are the Cheyennes 
and the Arapahoes. 

7. Chief Towns. —Denver, on the south fork of Nebraska River, 
is the capital; the other important towns are Colorado City, Au- 
raria, Mountain City, Boulder City, and Golden City. 

8 . The overland mail and telegraph route passes through Colo¬ 
rado. One of the proposed Pacific Railroad routes is through Colo¬ 
rado, entering it from Kansas, near the southern boundary of that 
State, passing through Sangre de Christo and Coochatope Passes, 
and leaving it on the west midway between the northern and south¬ 
ern boundaries. 

Another proposed route strikes through the northeastern part, and 
enters Dakota on the north. Surveys have demonstrated that the 
mountains in Colorado may be passed by a railroad without over¬ 
coming greater. difficulties than have been surmounted in passing 
the Alleghanies. 


INDIAN TERRITORY. 

Questions on Map No. 18, Indian Territory. —Bound Indian 
Territory. What river is its southern boundary? What large river 
flows eastward through the Territory? Name some of the affluents 
of the Arkansas River. What and where is the capital ? 

1. Position and Extent. —Indian Territory lies north of Texas, 
and west of Arkansas. Its greatest length is about 400 miles, and 
its greatest breadth about 230 miles. Area, 69,000 square miles. 

2. Natural Features. —Su rf a ce .—The surface in the western 
partis elevated and rolling; thence it falls gradually, with the gene¬ 
ral course of the rivers, towards the southeast, where it again becomes 
rolling and hilly. 

3. Rivers .—The Arkansas River flows through the Territory; 
its principal affluents are the Neosho, North Canadian Fork, and 
Canadian. The Red River forms a part of the southern boundary; 
its principal affluent is the False Washita {wosh'e-taw). The 

7. What of Denver? Other towns? 8. Overland mail and telegraph route? 
Proposed rail route? Another route? Indian Territory.— 1. Whero is 
it? Length and breadth? Area? 2. Surface? 3. Arkansas River and its 
affluents? The Red and its affluent? What further of these rivers? 




190 


TERRITORIES. 



Arkansas and Red Rivers are navigable for small steamers. All 
the rivers in this Territory have broad and shallow channels, and in 
dry seasons some of them are almost lost in the sands. 

4. Soil and Cl im ate .—In the northwest there is a vast bar¬ 
ren tract of intermingled prairie and sand ; the remaining part con¬ 
sists of undulating plains. Little is known of the climate, except 
that the summers are long and dry, with extremely hot days and 
cool nights. 

5. Products.—The eastern prairies are adapted to grazing, and 
the products of the adjoining States flourish there. 

6. Population.—Indian Territory has been set apart by the Gov¬ 
ernment of 
the United 
States as a 
perma¬ 
nent home 
for the In¬ 
dians who 
have been 
removed 
from vari¬ 
ous States. 
They are 
Creeks, 
Cherokees, 
Choctaws, 
C h i c k a- 
saws, Se re- 
moles, and 
others. 
Some of 
the tribes 

Indians in indian territory. have made 

considera¬ 
ble advances in agriculture and the mechanic arts, and have esta¬ 
blished schools and churches; others have relapsed into a savage 


4. Soil ? Climate ? 5. Products ? 6. What is said of Indian Territory ? 

What tribes ? What further of them ? Of the Cherokees ? 





NEW MEXICO. 


191 


state. The Cherokees are the most civilized. The United States 
exercises no control over the Territory, except when it may be neces¬ 
sary to preserve the peace. 

7. Chief Towns.—The capital and chief town is Tah'le-quah, in 
the Cherokee country. 


NEW MEXICO. 

Questions on Map No. 18, New Mexico.— Bound New Mexico. 
What mountains range through New Mexico? What other moun¬ 
tains ? Where is the Llano Estacado? What two rivers flow south ? 
What one flows cast ? What and where is the capital ? Where is 
Mesilla? Albuquerque? Taos? Valencia? Zuni? 

1. Position and Extent. —New Mexico Territory lies south of 
Colorado, and west of Indian Territory and Texas. Its greatest 
length is 385 miles, and its greatest breadth about 350 miles. Area, 
122,000 square miles. 

2. Natural Features.— Mountains. —The Sierra Madre rango 
through the Territory, from north to south, with cross and parallel 
ranges, including the Soledad ( sol-ay-dad / ), Guadalupe ( gwali-dah - 
loo'pay), and Jumanes ( hoo-mali'nes ) Mountains. There are seve¬ 
ral peaks from 8000 to 10,000 feet in height. 

3. River s. —The Rio Grande and the Pecos ( paifkoee ), with their 
affluents, are the principal rivers; they flow south into Texas. 

4. Soil and Climate. —Agriculture is pursued in the valley 
of the Rio Grande, but in general the soil is sterile. A large portion 
of the centre and west is occupied by rugged mountains, and in the 
southeast is the barren plain of the Llano Estacado. Although near 
the border of the Torrid Zone, the climate is temperate,—owing to its 
great elevation, and to the fact that the highest peaks of the moun¬ 
tains are covered with perpetual snow. 

5. Products. —Where agriculture is pursued, the chief products 
are Indian corn, wheat, and other grains, with apples, peaches, 

7. Chief town? New Mexico. —1. Where is it? Length and breadth? 
Area? 2. Mountains ? 3. Rivers? 4. What of soil and agriculture ? Climate? 
5. Products? Minerals? 





192 


TERRITORIES. 


melons, apricots, and grapes. There is fine pasturage in the north¬ 
east. Cattle and sheep abound. New Mexico is rich in minerals. 
There are extensive gold and silver mines, as well as lead, iron, cop¬ 
per, and coal. 

6. Population. —The inhabitants are mostly Mexicans, who are 
Catholics, and speak the Spanish language. There are a few Ame¬ 
rican emigrants from the older States. The whites occupy chiefly 
the valleys of the Rio Grande and the Upper Pecos. The Indians are 
mostly Pueblo or domesticated Indians, living in villages and culti¬ 
vating the ground; they are peaceful in their habits, and are esti¬ 
mated to number 10,000. Zuni ( zoon-yee') is their chief village. New 
Mexico and Arizona were enumerated together in the census T)f 
1860, and contained 94,000 inhabitants. 

7. Chief Towns. —Santa Fe {fay), the capital, stands on a pla¬ 
teau about 7000 feet above the sea. A short distance from the town 
is a mountain rising 5000 feet above the plateau, and capped with 
perpetual snow. 

The other important towns are Mesilla ( may-seeVyali ), Albuquerque 
( al-boo-kair'kay ), Taos ( tali'oce ), and Valencia. 


DAKOTA. 

Questions on Maps No. 7 and 16, Dakota. —Bound Dakota 
{see Map No. 7 , TJ. S.). What hills in the southwest? What large 
river flows through Dakota, and forms for a short distance its south¬ 
ern and southeastern boundary ? What rivers flow into the Missouri 
on the west? What river flows from north to south nearly through 
the Territory? Into what does it empty ? What river between Da¬ 
kota and Minnesota flows north ? Into what does it empty ? What 
is its principal affluent? Where is the Salt Water Region ? Where 
and what is the capital ? Where is Pembina ? Sioux Falls City ? 
Eminija? Flandreau? Medary? 

1. Position and Extent.— Dakota lies west of Minnesota and 
north of Nebraska, and borders on British America. It has tem¬ 
porarily attached to it a considerable region north of Colorado and 

6. Population? Indians? 7. What of Santa Fe? Other towns ? Dakota. 
—1. Where is it? What is temporarily attached to it? Length and 
breadth ? Area ? 




DAKOTA. 


193 


Utah. Exclusive of this, its greatest length is about 400 miles, and 
its greatest breadth about 370 miles. Area, 141,000 square miles. 

2. Natural Features.— Surface. —The surface in the east is 
elevated, but not mountainous. In the southwest are the Black 
Hills. There are numerous lakes in the north. Devil Lake is the 
largest; its waters are salt. 

3. A region called the Bad Lands lies between the White Water 
and Cheyenne ( she-en / ) Rivers. It is a depressed valley, about 90 
miles in length, and from 25 to 30 miles wide, destitute of vegetation, 
and abounding in fossil remains of animals of various kinds. 

4. Rivers. —The Missouri Iliver enters the Territory in the north¬ 
west, flows in a southeasterly direction, and forms its southern and 
southeastern boundary for about 100 miles. It has numerous affluents ; 
the largest are the Dakota, Niobrara, White Water, Cheyenne, and 
Big Sioux. The Missouri River, in the summer season, is navigable 
for moderate-sized steamers throughout the Territory, and to Fort 
Benton, nearly 400 miles beyond. The Red River of the North 
forms a part of the eastern boundary, and flows into Lake Winnipeg, 
in British America. Its chief affluent is the Shyeune (she-en'). 

5. Soil and Climate. —The soil in the southeastern part is 
excellent, and the valleys of the Missouri and Red Rivers are highly 
productive. There are numerous tracts of well-timbered land. 
The unexplored parts are still the hunting grounds of the Indian, 
and abound in buffalo, elk, deer, wolves, &c. The climate in the 
north is very severe ; in the south it is mild and healthy. 

G. Products. —Tho agricultural products are limited. Indian 
corn, oats, and wheat are tho principal. Coal is found on the Big 
Sioux ; and in tho salt-water regions of the north, salt abounds. 

7 . Population. —Tho people are chiefly emigrants from other 
Statqs, and numbered 5000 in 1860. The Indians are the Sioux, 
Mandans, and Riccarees. 

8. Chief Towns. —Yankton, on the Missouri River, is the capital. 
Pem'bina, on the Red River of the North, is the oldest and latgest 
town. Sioux Falls City, Eminija ( em-e-ne'jah ), Flandreau (fan- 
dro'), and Medary are flourishing places. 

2. Surfaco? What hills ? Lakes? 3. What of the Bad Lands? 4. What of 
the Missouri River? Its affluents? IIow far is tho Missouri navigable? Red 
River of tho North? 6. Soil? What of tho unexplored parts ? Climate? 6. 
Products? 7. Population? Indians? 8. Yankton? Pembina? Other towns? 

17 



194 


TERRITORIES. 


The proposed northern railroad route from St. Paul's, Minnesota, 
to Olympia, Oregon, passes through the northern part of Dakota, 
and crosses the Rocky Mountains at Calotte's Pass, in Montana. 


TERRITORY TEMPORARILY ATTACHED TO DAKOTA. 

Questions on Map No. 7, Territory temporarily attached to 
Dakota. —Bound this Territory. What mountain^? What peak 0 
What hills? What rivers.? Where is South Pass? Bridger’s Pass? 
Fort Laramie ? Hot Springs ? 

This Territory lies west of Nebraska and Dakota proper, and north 
of Colorado and Utah. It was formerly a part of Idaho. Area, 98,000 
square miles. It is a mountainous region. The Rocky and Big Horn 
Mountains and the Black Hills occupy a large portion of the Terri¬ 
tory. South Pass and Bridger’s Pass, two of the most eligible passes 
in the Rocky Mountains, are in the souih. 

Hot Springs, Virginia Springs, and Rock Point are the principal 
settlements. 

The overland mail route is through this Territory, and crosses the 
Rocky Mountains by Bridger’s Pass. 


MONTANA. 

Questions on Maps No. 7 and 19, Montana.— Bound Montana 
(see Map No. 7). What mountains in the west? In the east? Near 
the centre ? What river rises in the Rocky Mountains and ’flows 
easterly? Name its affluents on the north. Four affluents near its 
source. Name its great southern affluent in Montana. The afflu¬ 
ents of the Yellow Stone. What and where is the capital ? Where 
is Gallatin? LabargeCity? Nevada? Fort Benton? Fort Alex¬ 
ander ? 

Northern railroad route? Territory attached to Dakota. —Where is it? 
Area? Surface? Mountains? What passes ? Settlements? Overland maii 
route ? 





IDAHO. 


195 


1. Position and Extent. —Montana lies -west of Dakota, and 
borders on British America. Its greatest length is about 550 miles, 
and its breadth about 270 miles. Area, 148,000 square miles. It 
was organized in 1864. 

2. Natural Features.— Mountains. —The Rocky and Bitter 
Root Mountains range through the Territory, and form nearly its 
entire western boundary. The Panther Mountains are in the east. 
The surface is generally hilly or mountainous. 

3. Rivers. —The Missouri River rises in the Rocky Mountains, 
and flows north and east; it is navigable in summer for moderate¬ 
sized steamers to Fort Benton, and from above the falls for small 
steamers to Gallatin, near the southern part of the Territory. The 
principal affluents of the Missouri are the Yellowstone, Milk, Jeffer¬ 
son, Madison, and Gallatin Rivers; the chief tributaries of the Yel¬ 
lowstone are the Big Horn, Tongue, and Powder Rivers. 

4. Soil and Climate. —There are some fertile valleys, and, in 
the south, some good timber, but it is altogether an uncultivated 
region ; in the north it is cold, rugged, and sterile. 

5. Products. —The chief pursuit of the people is gold-mining. 
The gold-region is in the vicinity of Jefferson and Madison Rivers, 
and promises to be productive. 

6. Population. —The people are emigrants from other States; 
there has been no enumeration of them since the organization of 
the Territory. The Indians are the Pend d'Oreilles, Flat Heads, 
Black Feet, Crows, and Minnetarees. 

7. Chief Towns. —Bannock City is the capital; Gallatin, Nevada, 
and Labarge City are recent settlements. 

8. The northern route of the proposed Pacific Railroad passes 
through the Territory, and crosses tfie Rocky Mountains at Cadotte’s 
Pass. 


IDAHO. 

Questions on Map No. 19, Idaho. —Bound Idaho. What 
mountains on the eastern boundary? Where is Fremont’s Peak? 

Montana. — 1. Where is it? Length and breadth ? Area? 2. Mountains? 
Surface? 3. What of the Missouri River? Its affluents? Affluents of the 
Yellowstone? 4. Soil ? Climate? 5. Products ? 6. Population ? Indians? 

7. Chief towns ? 8. What railroad route ? 




196 TERRITORIES. 

Three Tetons ? Three Buttes ? Salmon River Mountains ? What 
river is a part of the western boundary? Name the affluents of 
Lewis Fork in Idaho. What rivers in the north? Into wliat do 
Lewis Fork and Clarke’s Fork flow ? What and where is the capital? 
Where is Pierce City ? Elk City ? Florence ? Lewiston ? Centre- 
ville ? Fort Hall ? Soda Springs ? 

1. Position and Extent.'--Idaho lies east of Washington and 
Oregon, and adjoins British America on the north; its greatest 
length is 480 miles, and its average breadth about 380 miles. Area, 
90,000 square miles. 

2. Natural Features— Mo u ntain s .—Idaho is a mountainous 
region. The Bitter Root and Rocky Mountains form the eastern 
boundary, with cross ranges and numerous peaks extending into 
the interior. 

3. Rivers .—The Lewis Fork is a part of the western boundary ; 
its principal affluents are the Bois6e, Payette, Salmon, and Clear 
Water Rivers. Clarke’s Fork and Spokane River are in the north. 
Lewis Fork and Clarke’s Fork flow into Washington Territory. 

4. Soil and Climate .—There are some fertile valleys in the 
south, but the region is an uncultivated one. The climate is like 
that of Oregon. 

5. Products. —The chief pursuit of the people is gold-mining. 
Rich gold-fields are found on the western slope of the Rocky Moun¬ 
tains, and on both sides of the Salmon River Mountains. 

6. Population. — The people are emigrants from the States; 
there has been no enumeration of them since the organization of 
Idaho as a Territory. The Indians are chiefly Spokanes, Flat Heads, 
Shoshones, and Bannocks. 

7. Chief Towns. —Boisee ( bwah-zay / ) City is the capital; the 
other principal places are Lewiston, Pierce City, Florence, Centre- 
ville, and Placerville. 

8. The northern route of the proposed Pacific Railroad passes 
through Idaho, and follows the course of Clarke’s Fork. 


Idaho. — 1. Where is it? Length and breadth? Area? 2. Mountains ? 3. 
Lewis Fork? Clarke’s Fork ? 4. Soil? Climate? 5. Products? 6. Popu¬ 
lation ? Indians ? 7. Chief towns ? 8. What railroad route ? 



WASHINGTON. 


197 


WASHINGTON. 

Questions on Map No. 19, Washington. —Bound Washington. 
What bay on the coast? What strait between Washington and 
Vancouver Island? What extensive inlet in the north? What 
mountain-ranges? Describe them. Name the peaks. What river 
is a part of the southern boundary ? What a part of the eastern ? 
Into what does the Lewis Fork empty ? Into what does the Colum¬ 
bia empty? Where is the Plain of the Columbia? What and 
where is the capital? Where is Vancouver? Walla-Walla? Steila- 
coom? Port Townsend? Cascade City ? Pacific City ? Seattle? 

1. Position and Extent. —Washington Territory lies in the north¬ 
west corner of the United States, with British America on the north, 
and the Pacific Ocean on the west. Its greatest length is about 350 
miles, and its greatest breadth about 230 miles. Area, 06,000 square 
miles. 

2. Natural Features.— Mountains. —The Coast Mountains and 
the Cascade Range, that traverse Oregon, continue through Wash¬ 
ington Territory. Mount St. Helen’s, Mount Adams, Mount Rainier, 
and Mount Baker, in the Cascade Range, are the loftiest peaks in the 
Territory; they vary in height from 9000 to 12,000 feet. Mount 
Olympus, the loftiest peak in the Coast Range, is 8200 feet high. 

3. Coast-line. —The coast-line extends about 250 miles. In the 
north are the Straits of Ju'an deFu'ca, separating Washington from 
Vancouver Island, and connecting the Pacific Ocean with a deep 
bay extending southward from GO to 70 miles, called Admiralty 
Inlet. There are few good harbors on the coast. 

4. Rivers. —The Columbia River rises in British America, enters 
Washington in the north, flows south through the Territory, and 
then takes a westerly course, forming the southern boundary, to the 
Pacific Ocean, where it empties. Its principal affluents are Lewis 
Fork, Clarke, and Spokane. The Columbia is navigable to Cascade 
City, about 100 miles. 

Washington.— 1. Where is it? Length and breadth? Area? 2. What 
mountains? Highest peaks of the Cascade Range, and their elevation? 
Mount Olympus? 3. Coast-line? What of the Straits of Juan do Fuca? 
Harbors? 4. Columbia River? Affluents, and how far navigable? 

17 * 



198 


TERRITORIES. 


5. Soil and Climate .—The soil in some of the valleys is fertile. 
Between the Cascade Mountains and the eastern boundary of the 
Territory is the Plain of the Columbia, a sterile, barren region, 
nearly destitute of wood and water. The climate is like that of 
Oregon, with the difference incident to a more northern latitude. 

6. Products. —From the huge pine-trees peculiar to this part of 
America, timber and lumber are obtained, forming one of the chief 
staples of Washington Territory. There are numerous saw-mills. 
The grain produced is not more than will suffice for the wants of the 
inhabitants. Fish of various kinds abound. Gold is found. 

7. Population. —The people are chiefly emigrants from other 
States, and number 12,000. There are Indians of the Spokane, Flat 
Head, and Shoshone tribes. 

8. Chief Towns.— Olympia, on Puget Sound, is the capital; it 
is well located, and has good commercial facilities. The other towns 
of note are Vancouver, Walla-Walla, Steilacoom ( sti-ld-koom / ), Port 
Townsend, Cascade City, and Pacific City. 

9. Education. —A university was incorporated in 1862; build¬ 
ings have been erected for it at Seattle. There are many common 
schools in the larger towns. 


UTAH. 

Questions on Map No. 19, Utah. —Bound Utah. What moun¬ 
tains range through Utah ? Where is Mt. Nebo? The Twin Peaks? 
Uintah Mts. ? Where is Great Salt Lake? Utah Lake? What river 
connects these lakes ? What other lakes ? What two rivers unite 
in Utah and form the Colorado? Where does the Colorado flow and 
empty ? Where is the Great Interior Basin ? What and where is 
the capital? Where is Ogden? Provo? Fillmore? Manti? Miners- 
ville? FortBridger? Parowan? Beaver? Washington? 

1. Position and Extent. —Utah lies east of Nevada, and south 
of Idaho. Its greatest length is 375 miles, and its breadth 300 miles. 
Area, 90,000 square miles. 

5. Soil? Of the Plain of the Columbia ? Climate? 6. Products? Grain 
and other products ? 7. Population? Indians? 8. Olympia ? Other towns ? 

9. Education? Utah. —1. Where is it? Length and breadth? Area? 




UTAH. 


199 


2. Natural Features.— Mountains. —TheWasatch {waw-saich') 
Mountains, a branch of the Rocky range, pass through the Territory 
from north to south. Mount Nebo, and the Twin Peaks, the most 
elevated points, are about 12,000 feet high. The larger part of the 
Territory consists of mountains and elevated table-lands; 3 ome of 
the valleys are 4000 to 5000 feet above the sea. The Great Interior 
Basin is in the western part. 

3. Lakes. —Great Salt Lake lies in the north part of the Territory; 
its waters are so salt that no living thing can exist in them. Utah 
Lake, 25 miles south, communicates with Great Salt Lake by the 
river Jordan. The waters of Utah Lake are fresh, and abound in 
trout. Both lakes are elevated more than 4000 feet above the sea. 
The other principal lakes are Sevier and Little Salt Lake. 

4. Rivers. —The principal river is the Colorado; its affluents 
the Green and Grand. Steamboats now navigate the Colorado from 
its mouth to near the borders of Utah. 

5. Soil and Climate. —There are some fertile valleys, where good 
crops are raised; but by far the greater part of the Territory is ste¬ 
rile. The climate is mild for the latitude, and generally more uniform 
than at the cast. 

G. Products.—Wheat, Indian corn, barley, and garden vege¬ 
tables are the chief products; many of these articles cannot be 
raised without irrigation, except in the watered valleys. 

7. Population.—The people are chiefly Mormons, a religious sect 
who claim to have received a new revelation, and who practise poly¬ 
gamy. They are emigrants from the States east, and from Europe. 
They numbered 88,000 in 1863. The Indians are mostly of the 
Utah tribe. 

8. Chief Towns. —Salt Lake City, on the river Jordan, near 
Great Salt Lake, is a very remarkable city, built after a novel plan. 
The mountains enclosing the city on the east are capped with per¬ 
petual snow. 

Brigham City, Ogden, Provo, Fillmore, and Manti are important 
places. 

The overland mail and telegraph route passes through Utah. 

2. Mountains? Highest points? What of a largo part ? Of the Great In¬ 
terior Husin ? 3. What of Great Salt Lake? Utah Lake? Others ? 4. Rivers? 
6. 8oil ? Climate? G. Products? 7. Population? Indians? 8. Salt Lako 
City? Other towns? Overland mail and telegraph route? 







200 


TERRITORIES. 


ARIZONA. 

Questions on Map No. 19, Arizona. —Bound Arizona. What 
mountains in Arizona? What peaks? What river flows through 
Arizona and is for some distance the western boundary ? Name the 
affluents of the Colorado. The affluents of the Gila. What and where 
is the capital? Where is Tucson? Tubac? Arizona City? Gila 
City? LaPaz? Aubry? Weaverville? Cubabia? Silver-region? 
Gold-region? San Pedro Spring? 

1. Position and Extent. —Arizona Territory lies south of Utah, 
and west of New Mexico. Its greatest length is about 440 miles, and 
its average breadth about 320 miles. Area, 122,000 square miles. 

2. Natural Features.— Mountain s. —A broken range, known as 
the Pinaleno [pe-nah-lay'no) Mountains, passes through the Territory 
from north to south, with a cross range, the Mogollon ( mo-gol-yone '), 
which unites with the Sierra Madre, in New Mexico. Mount San Fran¬ 
cisco is a considerable peak. 

3. Rivers. —The Colorado River flows through the Territory, 
forms a part of its western boundary, and empties into the Gulf of 
California. Its principal affluents are the Gila (lie'lali) and Rio de 
Lino ( re'o day le'no). 

4. Soil and Climate. —There are many barren tracts in Ari¬ 
zona ; but in the valleys of the rivers good crops are produced by 
means of irrigation. The climate is healthy; the proportion of fine 
weather is said to be equal to that of any other part of the world. 

5. Products. —Cotton, wheat, Indian corn, beans, melons, and 
garden vegetables are produced in the irrigated valleys. The gold, 
silver, and quicksilver mines are claimed to be the richest on the 
continent. Copper and other minerals are said to be abundant. 

6. Population. —The few white residents are Mexicans, and emi¬ 
grants from the old States. The Indians are of various tribes; the 
Apaches are wild, warlike savages. The Moquis, in the north, 
mostly reside in villages, and cultivate the soil. The Pimas, on 
the Gila River, are also employed in agriculture. 

7. Chief Towns.— Prescott is the capital. Tucson, Tubac, Gila 
City, La Paz, and Arizona City, are the other principal towns. 

Arizona.— 1. Where is it? Length and breadth? Area? 2. Mountains? 
What peak? 3. Rivers ? 4. Soil ? Climate? 5. Products? Mineral wealth? 
6. Population ? Indians ? 7. Chief towns ? 



MEXICO. 


201 


MEXICO. 



POST-OFFICE, CITY OF MEXICO. 


Questions on Map No. 20, Mexico.— Bound Mexico. What 
tropic passes through Mexico? What great gulf east? Where is 
the Bay of Campeche? The Channel of Yucatan? Gulf of Te¬ 
huantepec? Gulf of California? Bay of San Sebastian Yiscaino 
( vees-ki'iio )? Where is Cape Boxo [ro'ho) ? Tetas? Corrientcs? San 
Lucas? Where is the peninsula of Yucatan? Of Lower California? 
Isthmus of Tehuantepec? What mountains range through Mexico? 
Where is the volcano of Popocatepetl ? Iztaccihuatl ? Orizaba? Jo- 
rullo? Colima? Where is Lake Chapala? Terminos? 

What river on the north ? What river empties into the Gulf of Cali¬ 
fornia in the north? What river flows out of Lake Chapala in a 
westerly course and empties into the Pacific Ocean ? What and 
where is the capital ? In what State, and in what part of Mexico, is 
Puebla? Cholula? Vera Cruz? Guadalaxara? Guanaxuato? San 
LuisPotosi? Chihuahua? Durango? Buena Vista? Queretaro? 
Merida? Matamoras? Monterey? Tampico? Oaxaca? Acapulco? 
Ures? Monclova? Saltillo? Loreto? Victoria? Bagdad? 





























202 


MEXICO. 


1. Position and Extent. —Mexico lies south of the United States, 
and is chiefly included between the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific 
Ocean. Its extreme length from northwest to southeast is 2000 miles; 
its extreme breadth, about 800. At the Isthmus of Tehuantepec ( tay - 
wan-ta-pek') it is only 30 miles wide. Area, 668,000 square miles. 

2. Natural Features. — Mountains. —The Sierra Madre, a con¬ 
tinuation of the vast chain of the Rocky Mountains of the United 
States and British America, range through Mexico and Central Ame¬ 
rica. These mountains are much depressed at the Isthmus of Pa¬ 
nama, but reappear in still greater grandeur in South America, which 
they traverse to its extreme southern limit. In Mexico they are 
broken into numerous spurs, lofty peaks, and extensive table-lands. 

3. South of the city of Mexico are the twin volcanoes Popocate¬ 
petl ( po-po-kah-tay-pet’V ), (thehill that smokes), and Iztaccihuatl (ees- 
tak-se-hwafV), (the white lady). The height of the former is 17,720 
feet, being the highest land in North America except Mount St. 
Elias. It is still active. Iztaccihuatl is 15,300 feet high. This vol¬ 
cano is now extinct. 

4. Between the city of Mexico and the gulf coast is the volcano 
of Orizab / a, 17,400 feet high. Its summit, crowned with perpetual 
snow, greets the mariner at a great distance as he approaches the 
coast. This volcano also is now extinct. 

5. About seventy miles from the Pacific coast is the volcano of 
Jorullo ( ho-rooVyo ), thrown up suddenly by an earthquake in 1759. 
It is 1500 feet high. 

6. Coast-line. —The sea- and gulf-coasts of Mexico are irregular 
and indented with many bays. On the gulf there are few good 
harbors, but on the Pacific there are some excellent ones. Acapulco, 
the stopping-place of the California mail steamers, is the best. 

7. Surface. —The surface near the gulf coast in the east is low 
and sandy; but towards the interior it rises in terraces until it 
attains a height of 7000 feet above the sea, when it spreads out into 
an extensive table-land, in some places 150 miles wide, and then 
rapidly descends to the shores of the Pacific on the west. 

8. Lakes. —There are but few lakes, and they are unimportant; 


Mexico. —1. Where is it? Length and breadth? Area? 2. Mountains? 
How broken in Mexico? 3. Mountains south of the city of Mexico? IIow 
high? 4. What of Orizaba ? 5. Of Jorullo? 6. Coast-line, &c. ? 7. Surface? 
Of the interior ? 8. Lakes ? 



MEXICO. 


203 


the largest, Chapala ( chah-pah'lah ), covers an area of 150 square 
miles. It is connected with the Pacific Ocean by the Rio Grande de 
Santiago [re'o grahn' day day sahn-te-ahSgo). 

9. Rivers .—The principal rivers are the Rio Grande, separating 
Mexico from Texas, the Colorado, which flows into the Gulf of Cali¬ 
fornia, and the Rio Grande de Santiago, which empties into the 
Pacific. 

10. Soil and Climate .—Mexico includes three different regions: 
on the coast, the hot lands; upon the upper terraces, the temperate 
lauds, from 4000 to 8000 feet above the sea; and in the mountain 
regions, the cold lands. The soil of Mexico is fertile, but in some 
portions there is great want of water. There arc two seasons,—the 
dry, from June to November, and the rainy, from November to June. 

11. Although Mexico is for the most part in or near the tropical 
zone, more than half the territory is so elevated that the climate is 
temperate; on the low lands and sea-coast it is hot and unhealthy. 
The southwestern shores are visited at times by furious hurricanes. 

12. Products. —Owing to the differences in elevation, the different 
parts of Mexico have greatly varied productions. In the higher 
regions are produced the fruits and grains of the temperate zones; 
in the low lands, nearly all kinds of tropical fruits. Indian corn, 
sugar, indigo, tobacco, and coffee are cultivated. Cotton propagates 
itself, but it is not well attended to. Pulque (pool'hay), made from 
the fermented juice of the maguey (maJi-gicat /),—a species of the 
agave, or American aloe,—is in general use as a beverage. 

13. There are numerous species of the cactus ; on that known as 
the prickly pear, the cochineal insect is found, from which a beauti¬ 
ful crimson dyo is extracted. The State of Oaxaca ( wali-hali'kah) 
produces from three to four million pounds of cochineal annually. 

14. Among the rare flowers is the cheirostemon , or hand-plant, 
which is shaped like the fingers of the human hand. It is bright red. 

15. On the coasts are extensive forests of mahogany, Brazil wood, 
Campeche wood, American ebony, and other useful and valuable woods. 

1G. The minerals of Mexico are gold, silver, iron, copper, zinc, 
lead, sulphur, and cobalt. The silver deposits are very rich. 

17. Population. —The population is 8,288,000. It is composed 

9. Rivers? 10. What of the soil? Seasons? 11. Climate? Hurricanes? 
12. What of the products? Of pulque? 13. What, of the cactus? 14. 
Of rare flowers ? 15. What woods? 16. Minerals? 17. Population? How 
composed ? 




204 


MEXICO 


of Indians, who constitute more than half the population, descendants 
of Spanish emigrants, and mixed races. Among the last are mesti¬ 
zoes, mulattoes, zamboes, and negroes. The distinctions of race and 
color are now less marked than formerly. 

18. The Mexicans as a people are indolent, and have done but 
little in the way of internal improvement. Silver-mining is the 
only employment that is diligently pursued. There are no rail¬ 
roads. The common roads are infested with robbers, who attack 
and murder travellers with impunity. 

19. Divisions. —Mexico comprises twenty-three States, one terri¬ 
tory and the Federal district, making in all twenty-four political 
divisions. The most populous of these is the State of Mexico, which 
has more than a million of inhabitants. 

20. Chief Towns.— Mexico, the capital, two miles west of Lake 
Tezcuco ( tez-koo'lco ), is situated in a valley 7450 feet above the sea, 
and surrounded by lofty mountains. 

21. This city was the centre of Aztec civilization; it was taken 



COLLEGE OF MINES, CITY OF MEXICO. 


18. What of the Mexicans ? Of roads? 19. How many states ? The most 
populous? 20. What of the city of Mexico? 21. What further of this city? 
When was it captured ? 














































MEXICO. 


205 


by the Spaniards under Cortez, in 1520. The present city is a splen¬ 
did capital of 200,000 inhabitants. The plaza mayor (: mah-yor / ), or 
great square, has an area of twelve acres, and upon it front the 
cathedral and the palace; the former is a magnificent structure. 

Mexico was captured by the United States army, under General 
Scott, in 1847, and by the French, under General Forey, in 1863. 

22. Puebla ( pweb'lah ), noted for its numerous churches and its 
manufactures, is situated in the great plain of Cholula. It is famous 
for its heroic resistance when besieged by the French in 1863. It 
has a flourishing college, and a library of 30,000 volumes. 

23. Vera Cruz lies on the gulf coast, and is a walled town, defended 
by the castle of San Juan de Ulua (san hoo-ahn' day oo-loo'ali), which 
is situated on an island in the harbor. It was taken by the French 
in 1838, by General Scott in 1847, and abandoned to the Spaniards in 
1862, immediately after which it was occupied by the French. 

24. Guadalaxara ( gwah-dah-lah-hah'rah ) is the second city in 
Mexico. Guanaxuato (gwah-nah-hwah'to) and San Luis Potosi (po- 
io-see') are important towns. Other important towns are Chihuahua 
(rhe-wah'wah), Durango, Queretaro ( kay-ray-tah'ro ), Morelia, and 
Mer'ida. 

Matamoras and Monterey are noted for the victories of General 
Taylor in 1846. Tampico is an important gulf port. Acapulco 
(ah-kah-pooVko) is the chief seaport on the Pacific. 

25. Guaymas ( gwi'mahs ) and Mazatlan' are important places on 
the east coast of the Gulf of California. 

26. At Cholula, about seven miles from Puebla, is a remarkable 
pyramid, the base of which covers several acres. It is built of un¬ 
burnt brick in regular terraces, but is now overgrown with vege¬ 
tation. Upon its top was an Aztec temple dedicated to the Mexican 
god of air ; a Roman Catholic chapel now stands there. 

27. Surveys have been made and efforts directed towards con¬ 
necting the Gulf of Mexico with the Pacific, by a canal and rail¬ 
road across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec; but the condition of the 
country has rendered the execution of the project impracticable. 

28. Government. —Mexico was formerly a Spanish vice-royalty. 
It threw off the yoke of the mother-country, and became independ- 

22. What of Puebla? 23. Vera Cruz? 24. Guadalaxara, Guanaxuato, and 
Fan Luis Potosi? Other towns? Of Matamoras and Monterey ? Tampico? 
Acapulco? 25. Guaymas and Mazatlan? 26. Of Cholula? 27. What sur¬ 
reys? 28. Government? 


IS 



206 


MEXICO. 



PYRAMID AT CHOLULA. 

ent, in 1821. Several schemes of government were tried. At last a 
republic of confederated states was formed. But the country has 
been badly governed, and has been reduced at times almost to a 
state of anarchy. 

2S. In 1861, England, Spain, and France invaded the territory, 
ostensibly to enforce certain claims against the Mexican Government. 
The English and Spanish soon withdrew; but the French remained, 
and overran a large portion of the country. Under their influence 
the Archduke Maximilian of Austria was proclaimed emperor, and 
he formally assumed the government in 1864. 

30. Religion.—The established religion is Homan Catholic, and 
no other is tolerated. The Church is controlled by one archbishop, 
twelve bishops, and a great number of inferior clergy. In every 
city are convents and nunneries; and the wealth of the Church is 
very great. 

31. Education.—In Mexico there are a university, various col¬ 
leges and seminaries, schools of mines, of medicine, of agriculture, 
and of the fine and mechanic arts, and a large number of primary 
schools. 

32. Yucatan is in the easternmost part of Mexico. Twice it re- 
voltedy and set up an independent government; but after each revo- 

29„ What further of the government? 30. Religion? 31. Education? 32. 
What of Yucatan? OfUxmal? Chief towns ? 



CENTRAL AMERICA. 


207 


lution it again united voluntarily with Mexico. At Uxmal ( oox - 
maliV) are ancient architectural remains of great interest. Logwood 
and cotton are the principal exports of this State. Merida, Cam¬ 
peche, and Sisal ( se-shaV ) are the chief towns. 



ACAPULCO. 


CENTRAL AMERICA. 

Questions on Map No. 20, Central America.— Bound Central 
America. What sea east? What hay east? Where are the Bay 
Islands? What mountains? What volcanoes in Guatemala? Where 
is Lake Nicaragua? Managua? Chiriqui? What five States in 
Central America? What is Balize? Ans. A British colony. Bound 
Guatemala. What is the capital? Bound Honduras. Capital? 
Bound San Salvador. Capital ? Bound Nicaragua. Capital ? 
Where is Grey town ? Bound Costa Rica. Capital? 

1. Position and Extent. —Central America comprises the long 


Cbntral America.—1. Where is it? Length and breadth? Area? States? 









208 


CENTRAL AMERICA. 


and irregular tract of country lying southeast of Mexico, and joined 
to South America by the Isthmus of Panama. It is about 1000 miles 
long, and from 80 to 300 broad. Area, 213,000 square miles. It 
comprises the States of Guatemala, Honduras, San Salvador, Nica¬ 
ragua, and Costa Rica ( kos'tah re'Jcah). 

2. Natural Features. —The face of the country is greatly diversi¬ 
fied. The Sierra Madre traverse the whole extent of Central Ame¬ 
rica; they are broken into table-lands, shoot up into peaks, and 
descend in terraces to the Pacific and Caribbean sea-coasts. 

3. Among the peaks are several volcanoes. In Guatemala, the vol¬ 
cano de Agua (of water) and the volcano de Fuego (of fire) are each 
14,000 feet high. The rivers are short. Lake Nicaragua and Lake 
Managua ( mah-nah / gwah ), in the State of Nicaragua, are the prin¬ 
cipal lakes. 

4. Climate .—In general, the climate, except on the lowlands 
of the coast, is mild, healthy, and delightful. Earthquakes are fre- 
quent and very destructive. 

5. Products.— The principal products are indigo, sugar, cotton, 
and a great variety of tropical fruits. The forests yield valuable 
woods. Mahogany is an important article of export; logwood and 
other dyestuffs are found. Gold, silver, copper, and lead abound. 

Cattle are raised in great numbers. The forests are peopled by 
birds of brilliant plumage, among which the quesal is the rarest 
and most beautiful. Venomous reptiles are numerous. 

6. Population. —The population numbers 2,189,000, of whom 
about one-fourth are whites, and the remainder are Indians, negroes, 
mestizoes, mulattoes, and zamboes. The people are in general indo¬ 
lent and uneducated. 

7. Government— The States of Central America threw off the 
Spanish yoke in 1821. For a short period they were incorporated 
with Mexico; but in 1823 they became the United States of Central 
America. They are now separate independent republics; but there 
is much confusion in public affairs. 

8. Religion. —The Roman Catholic religion is established by law 
in all the States; no other worship is tolerated. 

2. Mountains? 3. Volcanoes? Rivers? Lakes? 4. Climate? Earthquakes > 
5. Products? Minerals? What of birds, &c. ? Cattle? 6. Population ? What 
of the people? 7. Government? 8. Religion? 



CENTRAL AMERICA. 


209 


9. GUATEMALA is the largest and most northerly State. New 
Guatemala, its capital, is an inland city, on a plain 5000 feet above 
the sea. The houses are low, and the walls very thick, as a pre¬ 
caution against earthquakes. Old Guatemala, the former capital, 12 
miles from New Guatemala, was destroyed by an earthquake in 1773. 

10. HONDURAS, lying on the Caribbean Sea, is noted for its 
forests of mahogany. Comayagua (ko-mi-ah'gwah), in the interior, is 
the capital. Omo'a and Truxillo [troo-heeVgo) are the chief seaports. 
The bay islands Roatan ( ro-ah-tahn') and others belong to this State. 

11. SAN SALVADOR, the smallest of the States, has the 
densest population. The capital, San Salvador ( sahl-vah-dore 7 ), was 
destroyed by an earthquake in 1854, but has been rebuilt. The 
chief seaports are La Union and Sonsonate ( son-so-nah'tay ). 

12. NICARAGUA stretches across the isthmus from the Carib¬ 
bean Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Nicaragua and Managua are the 
principal lakes: the latter is deep enough for the largest vessels. 
There is an overland route through this State from Greytown, at the 
mouth of the San Juan River, to the Pacific, by the river San Juan 
(hoo-ahn'), Lake Nicaragua [nik-ah-rah'gwah), and a short road to the 
coast. Leon, the capital, has been the scene of numerous political 
revolutions. Greytown was declared a free port in 1851. 

The Mosquito Territory lies on the east coast of Nicaragua, and 
is the abode of a tribe of Indians whose chief calls himself King 
of Mosquitia [mos-kee' shc-ah). It was for some time under the pro¬ 
tection of Great Britain, but is now a part of Nicaragua. 

13. COSTA RICA ( Rich Coast), the southernmost State, is 
divided by the Sierra Madre, which extend through it, into the 
oriental and occidental districts. San Jos6 ( heb-sag / ), the capital, is 
situated among the mountains, nearly midway between the Pacific 
Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. 

14. BALIZE ( ba-leez / ) is a British colony, ceded by Spain in 1783; 

9. Guatemala.— Where is it? What of its capital? Of Old Guatemala? 
10. Honduras. —Where is it, and for what noted? Capital? Seaports? Of 
the hay islands ? 11. San Salvador. —What is said of it? 12. Nicaragua. 

—Where is it? Lakes? Overland route ? Capital? Greytown? What of Mos¬ 
quito Territory ? 13. Costa Rica.— Where is it? Capital? 14. Balize.— 

Where is it? What of it? What woods? Capital? 

18 * 




210 


THE WEST INDIES 


the territory extends about 200 miles along the coast. It is a depend¬ 
ency of Jamaica, and is governed by a superintendent appointed by 
the crown. A large portion of the mahogany, logwood, and fustic 
of commerce is furnished by this colony. Balize is the capital. 


THE WEST INDIES. 



CITY OF HAVANA, AND MORO CASTLE. 


Questions on Map No. 21, West Indies.— Where are the West 
India Islands? Name the four groups. Ans. Bahamas , Greater 
Antilles , Lesser Antilles , and the Caribbee Islands. Which is the 
largest island ? Which next ? 

Bahama Islands.— Name the four largest of the Bahama Islands. 
What island in this group was the first land sighted by Columbus ? 
What town on New Providence? What strait between the Bahamas 
and Florida? What bank between the Bahamas and Cuba? Where 
is the Gulf Stream? Through which of the Bahamas does the tropic 
of Cancer pass ? 

Questions on Map No. 21, Greater Antilles.— Cuba. — Where 
is Cuba? What channel between Cuba and Yucatan? What passage 
























THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 


211 


between Cuba and Hayti ? What gulf northwest ? What sea south ? 
What island near to and south of Cuba? What mountains in Cuba 
(Map No. 22)? What rivers in Cuba ? What and where is the capi¬ 
tal? Where is Matanzas ? Cienfuegos? Santiago de Cuba ? Puerto 
Principe? Cardenas? IIayti ( Map No. 23).—Where is Ilayti? 
What two states? Ans. Hayti and Dominica. What mountains? 
Rivers? What is the capital of Dominica? Of Hayti? Where is 
Aux Cayes? Cape Haytien? Jamaica (Map JVo-^1).—Where is 
Jamaica? What mountains? What and where is the capital? Where 
is Kingston? Porto Rico. —Where is it? What passage between 
Porto Rico and Ilayti ? What and where is the capital ? 

Lesser Antilles.— Where are they? Name four of them. What 
town in Margarita? 

The Caribbee Islands.— Where are they? How divided? Ans.* 
Into the Leeward and the Windward Islands. Which are farthest 
north? Name four of the largest of the Leeward Islands. Name 
four of the largest of the Windward Islands. What town in Guade¬ 
loupe? What town in Trinidad? In Barba'does? 

1. Position and Extent.—The West Indies comprise the long, 
curving chain of islands, and groups of islands, lying around and in 
the Caribbean Sea, and stretching from the United States to South 
America. 

2. These islands are about 1000 in number, and occupy an area 
of 95,000 square miles. The name West Indies was given to them 
because Columbus thought when he sighted San Salvador that he 
had discovered the extreme coast of India. 

3. They are divided into four principal groups,—the Bahamas, the 
Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles, and the Caribbee Islands. The 
Caribbee Islands are divided into the Leeward and the Windward 
Islands. 

4. Products.— The principal products, which are very largely ex¬ 

ported, are sugar, coffee, cotton, tobacco, and a great variety of tropical 
fruits, such as oranges, lemons, pineapples, cocoanuts, bananas, and 
plantains. Rum, made from the juice of the sugar-cane, is exported 
in considerable quantities. Various kinds of drugs and dye-woods are 
also obtained. ■ ■ _ 

West Indies.— 1. What do they comprise, and where are they? 2. About 
how many islands? Area? Name? 3. How divided? 4. Principal products ? 
Other products ? What of reptiles, Ac. ? 



212 


THE WEST INDIES. 


There are many venomous reptiles, and birds of gaudy plumage. 
The green turtle is found on the shores, and is used extensively for 
food. 

5. Soil and Climate .—The soil is very fertile. The climate, 
which is mild in winter, is hot, and on the coast generally unhealthy, 
in summer. 

6. Population. —The inhabitants consist of whites, negroes, and 
mixed races, the negroes being six times as numerous as the whites. 
In the Spanish islands two-thirds of the population are slaves. In 
the other islands the negroes are free. The entire population is about 
4,000,000. Great Britain abolished slavery in her West Indian pos¬ 
sessions in 1834, indemnifying the planters by a grant of $100,000,000. 


THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 



1. The Bahamas, numbering more 
than 500, lie off the coast of Florida, being 
separated from the mainland by the Strait 
of Florida and the Gulf Stream. The 
principal islands are New Providence, 
Great Bahama, Great Ab'aco, Great Cay- 
cos ( ki'koce ), Andros, Eleuthera, Great 
Inagua ( e-nah'gwah ), Turk’s, and San 
Salvador. The last mentioned is sup- 

to have been the first land sighted 
by Columbus, in 1492. The Indian name 
was Guanahani ( gwah-nah-hah'ne ). 

2. In general, the Bahamas are low and 
flat. Turk’s and Fortune Islands are noted 
for their exportation of salt. Nassau, a 
city in New Providence, is a favorite re¬ 
sort for those afflicted with pulmonary 
diseases, and is noted for its exports of 
bananas, pineapples, and other tropical 

BANANA-TREE. fruits. 


™ C J\ ma 1 t . e ? „ 6 - What of the inhabitants ? Population ? What about the 
British West Indies? The Bahama Islands.-I. How many, and where are 
they? Principal ones? What of San Salvador ? Indian name? 2. Surface? 
lurk s and Fortune Islands, for what noted ? Nassau ? 





THE GREATER ANTILLES. 


213 


THE GREATER ANTILLES. 

This group comprises the four large islands Cuba, Ilayti, Jamaica, 
and Porto Rico, and lies southeast of Florida and the Bahamas. 

CUBA. 

1. Position and Extent. —Cuba lies south of the United States 
and east of Mexico. It is the largest and most important of the 
West India Islands. It is about 650 miles long by 60 broad. Area, 
42,400 square miles,—nearly equal to that of the State of Tennessee. 

2. Natural Features. —A mountain-range, called, in a portion 
of its length, Sierra del Cobre ( ko'bray ), runs through the island 
from east to west. From this range short and unimportant rivers 
flow in both directions to the sea. The longest river is the Cauto 
[kow'to ),which empties into the bay of Buena ( bway'nah ) Esperanza,- 
it is navigable for schooners 60 miles from its mouth. 

3. Products. —Tropical fruits in great variety grow spontaneously. 
Tobacco, sugar, Indian corn, coffee, mahogany, and wax are largely 
exported. Cuba is especially noted for its manufactures of cigars, 
Havana cigars being esteemed the best in the world. 

Minerals .—The copper-mines of Cuba are extensive. Coal is 
found. 

Climate. —The climate is hot, and in summer unhealthy to 
strangers ; the yellow fever often rages on the coast. In the moun¬ 
tains, it is milder and more healthy. 

4. Population. —The population is 1,247,000. Nearly all the 
negroes are slaves. 

5. Chief Towns. —Havana, the capital, is the chief city, and is 
the centre of a large commerce. Its harbor is one of the finest in 
the world, and is strongly fortified by Moro Castle. The remains 
of Columbus are deposited in the cathedral at Havana. 

6. Matanzas, 60 miles east of Havana, k an important commercial 
port, and is connected with Havana by a railroad. Cienfuegos (se-en- 
fway'goct) and Santiago de Cuba are important seaports on the south. 
Puerto Principe (pwair / to preen'se-pay) is a large town in the interior. 

The Greater Antilles.— What do they comprise ? Cuba. — 1. Where is it? 
Length and breadth? Area? 2. Mountain-range? Rivers? 3. Produots? 
Minerals? Climate? 4. Population? 5. Capital? What of Columbus? 6 
Matanzas? Other seaports? Puerto Principe? 



214 


THE WEST INDIES. 


7. Government and Religion. —Cuba belongs to Spain, and is 
governed by Spanish law, under the authority of a Captain-General 
appointed by the crown of Spain. The Roman Catholic religion is 
established. 

HAYTI. 

1. Position and Extent. —Hayti ( hay'tee ), originally called by 
the Spaniards Hispaniola, or Little Spain, lies southeast of Cuba, and 
is about 300 miles long from east to west, and about 140 broad. Area, 
29,000 square miles,—a little exceeding that of South Carolina. 

2. Government. —Originally a Spanish possession, it was after¬ 
wards divided between France and Spain, the former power having 
the western portion. The island is now divided into two states,—the 
Republic of Hayti, under the control of the negroes, on the west, and 
the Republic of Dominica ( dom-e-ne'kah ), on the east. Until recently, 
however, the State of Hayti was an empire, under a black emperor. 

3. Climate and Soil. —In climate and productions it is similar 
to Cuba. The soil is very fertile, and well watered. In the interior 
are high mountain-ranges. 

4. Population. —The population is about 900,000, consisting al¬ 
most entirely of blacks and mulattoes. The few whites have been 
attracted by commerce to the seaports. 

5. Chief Towns. —Port au (o) Prince is the capital and chief sea¬ 
port of the Republic of Hayti. Aux Cayes (o hay') is an important 
seaport in the southwest. Cape Haytien, on the north, has been 
twice destroyed,—first by fire* and afterwards by an earthquake. 

G. St. Domingo, on the south coast, is the capital and fortified 
seaport of the Dominican Republic. It is the oldest existing town in 
the Western hemisphere, having been founded in 1504. It contains 
a Gothic cathedral, built, it is said, in 1520. 

7. Religion. —The Roman Catholic religion is established in both 
States. 


JAMAICA. 

1. Position and Extent.—Jamaica lies southeast of Cuba, and 


7. Government and religion ? Hayti. —1. Where is it ? Length and breadth? 
Area? 2. What originally ? How now divided? 3. Climate? Soil? Moun¬ 
tains? 4. Population ? 5. Port au Prince? Aux Cayes? Cape Haytien ? 6. 
St. Domingo? 7. Religion ? Jamaica. —1. Where is it? Length and breadth? 
Area? Climate, Ac.? 






2. Mountains? Pimcnto-treo? 3. Population? 4. Capital? Kingston? 

5. Government and religion? Porto Rico. —1. Where is it? Area? What 
of its fertility ? 


THE GREATER ANTILLES. 215 


extends 
160 miles 
from east 
• to west, by 
about60 in 
breadth. 

Area,5400 
square 
miles. In 
climate, 
soil, and 
p r o d u c- 
tions it is 
like Cuba. 

2. The 
Blue 
M o u n- 
tains, in 
which cop- 
per and 
lead are 

r , . SCENE IN THE WEST INDIES. 

found, tra¬ 
verse the island. The pimento-tree, which produces allspice, grows wild. 

3. Population. —The inhabitants, whites and blacks, number 
380,000. The blacks are all free. 

4. Chief Towns. —Spanishtown, the capital, is situated on a 
plain near the southern coast. Kingston, 10 miles distant from 
Spanishtown, is the largest town, and has a fine harbor. 

5. Government and Religion.— Jamaica belongs to Great Bri¬ 
tain, and is governed, both as to state and church, by British laws. 
It has garrisons of colored troops, who have white officers. 


PORTO RICO. 

1. Position and Extent. —Porto Rico, the smallest island of the 
Greater Antilles, lies east of Hayti. Area, 3800 square miles. It is 
well watered and fertile. 




216 


THE WEST INDIES. 


2. Population.—The population, consisting of whites and negroes, 
numbers 420,000. About two-thirds of the negroes are slaves. St. 
John, or San Juan, the chief town, is on the northern coast. Porte 
Rico ( ree'ko) belongs to Spain, and is governed by Spanish officials. 


LESSER ANTILLES. 

1. The Lesser Antilles lie near the northern coast of South Ame¬ 
rica, and are sometimes called the Venezuelan Coast Chain, from 
their proximity to Venezuela. This is the smallest group of the 
West Indies, and comprises numerous small islands. 

2. Among these, Curaqoa is noted for its famous cordial of that 
name. 

3. The other principal islands are Buen Ayre, Oruba, and Aves 
(ah'ves), belonging to Holland; Margarita, Los Roques [loce ro'kes), 
and Tortuga, belonging to Venezuela; and some smaller islands be¬ 
longing to Spain. 


THE CARIBBEE ISLANDS. 

1. Position and Extent.— The Caribbee Islands are an extensive 
group or chain, extending from the eastern extremity of Porto Rico 
to South America, and divided into the Leeward and the Windward 
Islands. They derive their name from that of the aborigines, the 
Caribs, a fierce and savage race, now nearly extinct. 

2. The Leeward Islands are Antigua ( ahn-te'gah ), Anguilla 
( ang-ghiVlali ), St. Kitts, Barbu / da, and Montserrat 7 , belonging to 
Great Britain; Guadeloupe, Marie-galante ( mah-re 7 gah-lo^V), and 
North St. Martin, belonging to France; South St. Martin, Saba, and 
St. Eustatius (yoo-stay'she-us), belonging to Holland; and the Swedish 

2. Population ? Chief town ? To whom does Porto Rico belong ? Lesser 
Antilles. —1. Where are they? What of them? 2. What of Curafoa? 3. 
Of the other principal islands? To whom do these belong? To whom does 
Margarita belong? The Caribbee Islands. —Where are they? How di¬ 
vided ? Why so called ? 2. To what powers do the Leeward Islands chiefly 
belong ? 






THE BERMUDAS. 217 

Island of St. Bartholomew. There are numerous smaller islands 
connected with these. 

3. The Windward Islands are Trinidad, Barbadoes, St. Lucia, 
Tobago, and others, belonging to Great Britain; Martinique (mar- 
tin-eek'), and others, belonging to France. 

4. Chief Towns. —Basse-Terre ( bahss-tair / ) is the chief city of 
Guadaloupe. Point-k-Pitre (pwaxt-ah-peet’r'), a flourishing city in the 
island of Guadeloupe, was overwhelmed, in 1843, by an earthquake, 
which destroyed 6000 persons. 

5. Trinidad is a large island, near the South American coast. It 
has a population of 80,000. Port Spain, its capital, is a fine city. 

6. Bridgetown, the capital of Barbadoes, is a flourishing city. 


THE BERMUDAS. 

The Bermuda Islands are a small group of islands, seven or eight 
in number, which lie in the Atlantic about 800 miles east from the 
coast of South Carolina. Their total area is not more than thirty 
square miles. The climate is salubrious and delightful. The Ber¬ 
mudas are a naval station of Great Britain, to which they belong. 
St. George is the capital. 

3. The Windward Islands ? 4. What of Basse-Terre ? Point-a-Pitre 9 5. 

What of Trinidad Island ? Population? Capital? 6. Capital of Barbadoes 
Island? The Bermudas. —Where are they? Area? Climate? What of 
them ? Capital ? 






218 


SOUTH AMERICA 


SOUTH AMERICA. 



Questions on Map No. 24, South 
America.—1. Bound South Ame¬ 
rica. Between what parallels of lati¬ 
tude does South America lie ? Me¬ 
ridians of longitude ? Through what 
States does the equator pass? The 
general scene. tropic of Capricorn ? 

2. Divisions. —What three States on the north coast? Four on 
the east coast ? Five on the west coast, including United States of 
Colombia, which is also on the north? One entirely in the interior? 
How many States ? Ans. Twelve. 

3. Seas, Bays, &c. —What sea on the north ? What gulf on the 
northwest? On the north? Where is Bay of All Saints? Maram- 
bayo Bay? Blanco Bay? St. Mathias Bay? Bay of St. George? 
What strait at the southern extremity? Where is the Gulf of Guaya¬ 
quil? Bay of Choco? Of Panama? 

4. Capes. —What is the most northern cape ? The most eastern ? 








SOUTH AMERICA. 219 

The most southern ? The most western ? Where is Cape Orange ? 
North? Frio? St. Antonio? St. Francisco? 

5. Islands. —Where is Margarita Island? Trinidad? Joannes? 
St. Catharina? South Georgia? Falkland? Terra del Fuego? Wel¬ 
lington? Chiloe? Juan Fernandez? St. Felix? Chincha? Lobos? 

6. Mountains. —What great range of mountains along the west 
coast ? What range near and parallel with the north coast ? On the 
east coast ? Where arc the Geral Mts. ? Balchitta Mts. ? Vulcan Mts. ? 

7. Lakes. —Where is Lake Maracaybo? Titicaca? Pansa? De 
los Patos? Reyes? Pernagua? 

8. Rivers. —Describe the following rivers: Orinoco. Amazon. To¬ 
cantins. St. Francisco. Parana. Paraguay. Uruguay. Rio de la 
Plata. Negro. 

1. Position and Extent.—South America, the Southern grand 
division of the Western Continent, is a triangular peninsula, extend¬ 
ing from Cape Gallinas to Cape Horn. It is 4500 miles long, 3000 
miles broad in its widest part, and is united to North America by 
the Isthmus of Panama. Area, 6,552,000 square miles. 

2. Natural Features.— Mountains. —The Andes Mountains 
extend along the west coast from the Isthmus of Panama to Terra del 
Fuego, a distance of 4800 miles, and are a continuation of the great 
North American range known in British America and the United 
States as the Rocky Mountains and in Mexico and Central America 
as the Sierra Madre. The Andes are remarkable for their length 
and height, and for their numerous towering peaks and volcanoes; 
Aconcagua in Chili, Chimborazo and Cotopaxi in Ecuador, Guala- 
teiri in Peru, and Sorata in Bolivia, are the loftiest peaks. Aconca¬ 
gua is the highest land in the Western Continent, and is 23,100 feet 
above the sea. 

3. In the volcanic districts of the Andes earthquakes are frequent, 
sometimes destroying cities, towns, and many lives. Immense ra¬ 
vines, occasionally 2000 feet deep, are found in these mountains. 
They often enclose rivers. 

4. On the east coast are the Brazilian Coast Mountains; in the inte¬ 
rior are numerous parallel and cross ranges; and near the centre, 
parallel to the Andes, is a short range called the Geral Mountains. 

Soum America.—1. What is said of South America? Length and breadth ? 
IIow united to North America? Area? 2. Mountains? For what remarkable? 
Highest peaks? 3. What of earthquakes? Ravines? 4. Other mountains? 



220 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


5. Along the northern part of Brazil, separating it from Venezuela 
and the United States of Colombia, are the Parime Mountains ; in a 
portion of their extent they are called the Acaray Mountains. 

6. Coast-line and Lakes .—The coast-line of South America 
is remarkably free from indentations. There are few lakes. The 
largest are Lake Titicaca, on the borders of Peru and Bolivia, which 
is 12,800 feet above the sea and has a surface of 4000 square miles, 

and Lake Maracaybo, in 
Venezuela. 

7. Rivers .—South Ame¬ 
rica is noted for its magni¬ 
ficent rivers. The Amazon, 
in the north, the largest, al¬ 
though not the longest, in 
the world, is 4000 miles in 
length, and drains a greater 
extent of country than any 
other. Its largest affluent 
is the Madeira. The Ori¬ 
noco is 1500 miles long, and 
flows through Venezuela 
into the Atlantic. It is said to have 400 navigable tributaries. 

8. The other most important river is the Parana, which, after its 
junction with the Uruguay, forms the Rio de la Plata, and flows into 
the Atlantic Ocean. The streams emptying into the Pacific are mostly 
short mountain-torrents. 

9. Surface .— South America is remarkable for its vast level 
plains, lying in the basins of the great rivers, sometimes extending 
hundreds of miles. In the north they are called Llanos, and in the 
south Pampas. In the valley of the Amazon are extensive forest 
plains called Selvas, and in the mountainous regions are numerous 
elevated plateaus or table-lands. 

10. Products. —The chief products are sugar, coffee, cotton, in¬ 
digo, wheat, barley, and Indian corn, with tropical fruits in great 
variety. Various dye-woods are found, and cinchona, or Peruvian 
bark, from which quinine is made. Hides, horns, tallow, and jerked- 
beef are largely exported. 

5. Mountains in Northern Brazil, Ac.? 6. Coast-line? Lakes? 7. Rivers? 
$. Other rivers? 9. Surface? What are the plains called? 10. Products? 



ALLIGATOR. 




SOUTH AMERICA. 


221 




11. There are extensive forests in South America, the tropical 
vegetation of which is exceedingly luxuriant; among the valuable 
woods are Brazil-wood, rosewood, and mahogany. 

12. Minerals.—Gold, silver, copper, iron, lead, and diamonds are 
found. The governments of South America are, however, so unsta¬ 
ble, and the mining systems so imperfect, that the metallic wealth 
of the country is not fairly developed. 

13. Animals.—Thejaguar, 
the puma or American lion, 
and the ocelot, are the prin¬ 
cipal beasts of prey. The 
vampire, a huge bat, sucks 
the blood of sleeping travel¬ 
lers and animals. The ant- 
eater, tapir, peccary, sloth, 
armadillo, chinchilla, lama, 
alpaca, and guanaco are 
found in various parts. 

14. There are numerous 
species of deer; and the fo¬ 
rests resound with the chattering of innumerable monkeys, and 
the varied song of birds of beautiful form and rich plumage. Of 
the latter the most noted 
are parrots, macaws, tou¬ 
cans, and humming-birds. 

Condors and eagles inhabit 
the mountains. Horses, oxen, 
and hogs are found, but are 
not indigenous. Boa-con¬ 
strictors, alligators, and 
other reptiles of huge size, 
infest the tropical rivers and 
lowlands. 

15. Climate.—The trade- 

winds, blowing for several boa-constrictor. 

months in the same direction, the high and snow-capped mountains. 


11. Forests? 12. Minerals? 13. Animals? 14. Other animals ? Birds, <fco. ? 
Boa-constrictors, Ac. ? 15. Climate? 


19* 




222 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


the great extent of surface covered oy dense forests, and the sur¬ 
rounding ocean, render the climate more temperate than it is in the 
same latitudes in other parts of the world. 

16. Divisions. —South America comprises l 12 States,—namely, 
The United States of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Guiana, Brazil, 
Peru, Bolivia, Chili, Argentine Confederation, Paraguay, Uruguay, 
and Patagonia. 

17. Population. —The population of South America is upwards 
of 20,000,000, and is composed in all parts, except in Patagonia, of 
nearly the same races,—namely, whites, Indians, and negroes ; from 
these the mixed races, mulattoes, zamboes, and others, are formed. 

18. The Creoles, or whites of European descent, are the ruling 
race, holding all the offices in church and state. The subjugated 
Indians are quiet and apathetic. They perform a large share of 
the labor in agriculture and the mines. The wild Indians are 
savages. They roam chiefly through the forests of Brazil and the 
pampas of Patagonia. 

19. The negroes, brought at first from Africa, were never nume¬ 
rous, except in Brazil and Guiana. The mixed races are despised 
by the whites. They are engaged chiefly in laborious occupations. 
In Peru the lines of distinction between the races, of which there 
are several varieties, are clearly drawn. 

20. Government. —For about three hundred years the greater 
part of South America was subject to Spain. But the colonies, 
taking advantage of the disturbed state of the mother-country, 
achieved their independence, between the years 1819 and 1829. 
Most of the States are styled republics. Brazil is an empire ; Guiana 
consists of three colonial dependencies. Patagonia is unsettled. 

21. Owing to the ignorance of the people and the ambition of the 
rulers, the States of South America are republican only in form. 
The governors and presidents frequently oppress the people. 

22. But this condition of things is gradually giving way before 
the civilization of the age, and South America may, within a few 
decades, boast as rapid progress as any country in the world. 

23. Religion. —The Roman Catholic is the prevailing religion. 

16. Divisions? Name the States. 17. Population? How composed? 18. 
Of the Creoles ? Indians? 19. Negroes? Of the mixed races ? 20. Govern¬ 
ment? What are the States now? 21. What further of these States? 22. 
What progress ? 23. Religion ? 



THE UNITED STATES OF COLOxMBIA. 


228 


In many States no other is tolerated; in some, however, freedom of 
worship is allowed. In British and Dutch Guiana, Protestantism is 
established. 

24. History.—South America was discovered by Columbus, on 
his third voyage, in 1498. It was first colonized by Spaniards and 
Portuguese. On the western coast was found a peculiar semi-civili¬ 
zation, which has been graphically described by Prescott in his 
“Conquest of Peru.” The Spaniards have been everywhere cruel 
to the natives, and have sought to find and amass gold rather than 
to promote the civilization of the people. 


THE UNITED STATES OF COLOMBIA. 

Questions on Map No. 25, United States of Colombia.— 

Bound United States of Colombia. What sea north? What cape 
farthest north? Where is Cape de Vela? Aguja? Corrientes? What 
gulfs north ? What bay west ? What isthmus west ? Between what 
waters is the Isthmus of Panama? What large river flows north and 
empties into the Caribbean Sea through several mouths ? What is its 
principal affluent? What mountain-range west of the Cauca? What 
between the Cauca and Magdalena? What east of the Magdalena? 
Where is the Peak of Tolima? Name the rivers in the south. Into 
what do they flow? Where are the Llanos? Where and what is the 
capital? Where is Popayan? Pasto? Carthagena? Santa Martha? 
Porto Bello? Through what part of Colombia does the Equator pass? 

1. Position and Extent. —The United States of Colombia, for¬ 
merly called New Granada, is situated in the northwestern part 
of South America, chiefly between the Orinoco River and the Pacific 
Ocean. Its greatest length is about 900 miles, and its greatest 
breadth about 650 miles. Area, 457,000 square miles, or nearly 
double that of the State of Texas. 

2. Natural Features.— Mountains. —The Andes, extending 
from Ecuador, branch off into three ranges, the Eastern, Central, 

24. Who discovered South America? What of the Spaniards ? The United 
States of Colombia. —1. What formerly called? Where is it? Length and 
breadth ? Area ? 2. What of the Andes ? What of the surface ? Highest 
point? 




224 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


and Western Andes, forming two beautiful valleys. The western and 
central parts are very mountainous; the northern and eastern portions 
consist of llanos or grassy plains. The highest point in Colombia is 
the Peak of Tolima ( to-lee'mah ), 18,270 feet above the sea. 

3. Rivers .—The principal rivers in the west are the Magdalena 
and Cauca ( kow'kah ), which flow northward, form a junction as they 
approach the coast, and empty, by several mouths, into the Carib¬ 
bean Sea. The rivers in the eastern and southern parts are tributa¬ 
ries of the Amazon or the Orinoco. 

4. Soil and Climate .—In the plains the soil is very fertile, but 
imperfectly cultivated. The climate varies with the elevation: on 
the table-lands there is perpetual spring; on the coast and lowlands 
it is very hot, and at certain seasons unhealthy. On the western coast 
and at the city of Carthagena the yellow fever prevails in summer. 

5. There are few good roads and no railroads in Colombia; in the 
mountainous districts travellers are carried over difficult passes on 
the backs of Indians. Steamboat navigation on the larger rivers 
has been lately introduced to a limited extent. 

6. Products.—In the fertile 
districts grain may be sown at 
any period of the year. The 
chief products are coffee, to¬ 
bacco, sugar, cotton, rice, wheat, 
and Indian corn. Tropical fruits 
abound in great variety. Peru¬ 
vian bark, dye-woods, and hides 
are largely exported. 

7. There are many species of 
animals: bears are found in the 
mountains; deer on the higher 
plains; alligators infest the 
Magdalena and Cauca Rivers. 
The condor inhabits the Andes; 
in the forests is heard the song 
of the tropical nightingale. Vast 
herds of cattle feed on the llanos. 



THE CONDOR. 


3. Rivers? 4 Soil? Climate? Of the western coast? 5. What of roads and 
travelling? Of steamboats? 6. Products? 7. Animals? 




THE UNITED STATES OF COLOMBIA. 225 

8. In Colombia are mines of gold, silver, and copper, which with 
enterprise and capital would be very productive. 

9. Population. —The population numbers 2,795,000, comprising 
the usual varieties. The educated Creoles rank first in South Ame¬ 
rica for scientific and literary culture. The Llaneros, or people of the 
llanos, are expert horsemen, and use the lasso in catching cattle. 

10. Chief Towns. —Bogota ( bo-go-tah / ), the capital, is situated in 
the interior, on a lofty plateau of the Eastern Andes, 8000 feet above 
the sea. It has a delightful climate. Popayan' and Pasto are the 
other chief inland towns. The principal seaports are Carthagena, 
Santa Martha, and Porto Bello. 

In the Isthmus of Panama, Chagres ( chah'gres ) and Aspinwall 
are the principal ports on the Caribbean Sea, and Panama and 
Buenaventura ( bway'nah-ven-too'rah) on the Pacific. 

11. Government. —The United States of Colombia is a con¬ 
federated republic, comprising eight states and two territories. The 
constitution is liberal in its principles. There have been several 
revolutions. Education is constantly improving. 

12. Religion. —The Roman Catholic religion is established by 
law, but the supremacy of the Pope is not acknowledged; the 
Archbishop of Bogota is the head of the Colombian church. Other 
creeds are tolerated. 

Questions on Maps No. 25, 26, Isthmus of Panama .—(Map 
No. 25.) Where is the Isthmus of Panama? What two countries 
does it connect ? ( Map No. 2G.) Along what river does the Panama 
Railroad run ? On what sea is Aspinwall ? On what bay is Panama? 
What towns on the railroad route ? Where is Navy Bay ? 

The Isthmus of Panama.— 1. Panama is one of the States of 
Colombia. The Isthmus of Panama is the great route of commu¬ 
nication between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and is, conse¬ 
quently, of great importance to the interests of the world. It is, there¬ 
fore, proper to speak of it in a special paragraph. 

2. It was formerly called the Isthmus of Darien. Its greatest 
breadth is 114 miles, and its least 47 miles. 

8. Minerals? 9. Population? 10. What of Bogota ? Other towns? Sea¬ 
ports? Of the Isthmus of Panama, Ac.? 11. Government? Constitution? 
Education? 12. Boligion? The Isthmus of Panama.— 1. What of the Stato 
of Panama? What of the Isthmus ? 2. What formerly called ? How wide ? 



226 


SOUTH AMERICA 


3. Aspinwall, on an island in Navy Bay, which opens into the 
Caribbean Sea, is the Atlantic depot of the lines of steamers. 

4. A railroad extends from Aspinwall to Panama on the Pacific 
coast. It is 48 miles long, and was completed in 1855. 

5. American and British steamers sail statedly to Aspinwall, and 
passengers, mails, and stores are transported across the isthmus by 
railroad to Panama, on the Pacific, whence steamers sail to San Fran 
cisco and other ports. 

6. The ports on the Isthmus have been declared free to all nations, 
for inter-oceanic communication, by Colombia. 

7. Chagres, at the mouth of Chagres River, was formerly the 
principal port; but it has declined in importance since the establish¬ 
ment of Aspinwall. Gorgona, San Pablo, Barbacoas, and Gatun 
(gaTi-toon') are towns on the railroad route. 


VENEZUELA. 



CITY OF CARACCAS. 


3. What of Aspinwall ? 4. Of the railroad ? 5. What of steamers ? 6. Wh&t 
of the ports on the Isthmus? 7. Of Chagres? Other towns on the route? 




































VENEZUELA. 


227 


Questions on Map No. 25, Venezuela.— Bound Venezuela. 
What sea north ? Where is the Gulf of Venezuela? Gulf of Triste? 
Cape Paria? GulfofParia? Serpent’s Mouth ? What mountains 
in the north and northwest? Describe them. On the southern 
boundary? Other mountains? What lake on the northwest? What 
great river flows through Venezuela? Into what does it flow ? Where 
is the Delta of the Orinoco? Name some of its affluents on the west. 
On the east and south. What and where is the capital? Where is La 
Guayra? Cumana? City of Bolivar? Truxillo? Maracaybo? Mer¬ 
ida? Puerto Cabello? Coro? Barcelona? Barinas? 

1. Position and Extent. —Venezuela lies east of the United 
States of Colombia, and north of Brazil. Its greatest length from 
east to west is about 750 miles; its average breadth, about 550. 
Area, 410,000 square miles, or four times that of Italy. 

2. Natural Features. — Mountains. —The Eastern Andes range 
through Venezuela in the northwest and north; on its southern 
border are the Parime ( pah-ree'may ) Mountains. The valley of the 
Orinoco occupies the greater part of its area. 

3. Lakes. —Lake Maracaybo (mah-rali-ki'bo), in the northwest, is 
a beautiful sheet of water, 100 miles long by 70 broad. It is deep 
enough for all kinds of navigation; but there is a shifting sandbar 
across its mouth, which impedes entrance. There are many islands 
near the coast, of which Margarita is the principal. 

4. Rivers. —The Orinoco, the largest river in Venezuela, is 1500 
miles long, and is said to have four hundred navigable tributaries. 
The Casiquiare [kah-se-kc-ah'ray) River has the remarkable pecu¬ 
liarity that it is an affluent of the Orinoco, and is also united with 
the Rio Negro, a branch of the Amazon. Steamboat navigation has 
lately been introduced into Venezuela, and the enterprise is encou¬ 
raged by the government. 

5. Soil and Climate. —The soil is for the most part fertile, but 
imperfectly cultivated. The climate is like that of Colombia. There 
are two seasons in the year, the wet and the dry ; with this equable 
division, there is a perpetual rich vegetation. Fevers prevail on the 
coast in summer. 

Venezuela.—1. Where is Venezuela, ? Length and breadth? Area? 2. 
Mountains? Valley? 3. Lakes ? Islands? 4. What of Orinoco River ? What 
of the Casiquiare? Of steamboats ? 5. Soil? Climate? What on the coast ? 



228 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


6. Products. —The minerals and the products of the field are 
similar to those of Colombia. The cacao, or chocolate plant, is culti¬ 
vated. Various medicinal plants are found. There are many and 
beautiful kinds of birds. Monkeys abound. Vast herds of cattle 
feed upon the llanos. The electric eel is found in the streams: 
when of considerable size, it gives a shock sufficient to stun a horse. 

7. Population. —The population is 1,565,000, and consists of the 
usual classes. The Ottomac Indians on the Orinoco eat, in times of 
scarcity, a species of clay, and are in consequence sickly and short-lived. 

The roads are very bad, and travelling is difficult and often dan¬ 
gerous. Travellers are carried over the mountains on light chairs 
fastened to the backs of Indians. Streams are crossed by means of 
frail bridges made of ropes. Transportation of merchandise in the 
mountainous districts is carried on by means of pack-mules. 

8. Chief Towns. —Carac'cas, the capital, is situated in a fine val¬ 
ley, twelve miles from the coast. It has been frequently visited by 
earthquakes, and in 1812 was almost entirely destroyed; 12,000 
people perished in its ruins. It has a university and a military 
school. La Guayra (lah gvoi'rail) is its seaport. 

9. Cumana ( koo-mah-nah') is an important town near the coast. 
The city of Bolivar is the chief town on the Orinoco. Truxillo and 
Mer'ida are the principal places west of the mountains. Puerto Ca- 
bello ( pwair'to Jcah-beVyo ) is a flourishing seaport. 

10. Government. —Venezuela is a republic like Colombia, and is 
composed of thirteen States. A very liberal constitution was adopted 
in 1863. 

11. Religion.—The Roman Catholic religion prevails; but other 
creeds are tolerated. 


ECUADOR. 

Questions on Map No. 25, Ecuador. —Bound Ecuador. What 
capes on the coast? What large gulf? What bays? What moun¬ 
tain-ranges ? What peaks in the Eastern Andes ? What other peaks 
in the Andes? What river in the south? Name its three largest 

6. Products ? Plants ? Animals, <fcc.? 7. Population ? What of the Ottomac 
Indians? What of roads ? Travelling? Transportation of merchandise? 8. 
What of Caraccas ? Seaport? 9. Other towns ? Seaport? 10. Government? 
11. Religion? 




ECUADOR. 


229 



1. Position and Extent. —Ecuador ( ek-wah-dore / ), so called from 
its lying under the equator, is situated on the Pacific coast, south 
of Columbia. Its greatest length is about 800 miles, and its greatest 
breadth about 350 miles. Area, 208,000 square miles,—about equal 
to that of France. 

2. Natural Features. — Mountains. —There are three ranges 
of the Andes in Ecuador, with a general course in a northeasterly 
direction. The range farthest east is the loftiest. The middle range 
rises 10,000 to 12,000 feet, and spreads out eastwardly into an ele¬ 
vated plateau, with numerous towering peaks. Chimborazo, the 
loftiest, is 21,000 feet high. Cotopaxi is 19,000 feet high, and is 
the most remarkable volcano in the world. No other volcano 
approaches it in terrible sublimity. The roar of Cotopaxi, it is 
said, has been heard at a distance of several hundred miles. The 

Ecuador.—1. Why called Ecuador? Where is it? Length and breadth? 
Area? 2. Whnt mountains ? Which is the loftiest range ? What of the mid¬ 
dle range? What of Chimborazo ? Cotopaxi? Of the third range? 

20 


affluents in Ecuador. What and where is the capital ? Where is 
Guayaquil? Cuenca? Riobamba? Callo? Payaguas? Rosario? 


MOUNT COTOPAXI, ANDES RANGE. 











230 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


third range is near the coast, and is not so lofty as the other 
two ranges. 

3. Rivers .—The Amazon and its tributaries in the north, south, 
and west are magnificent navigable streams. Those flowing west into 
the Pacific are short mountain-torrents. 

4. Soil and Climate .—There are two seasons: winter, from 
December to May, which is a season of delightful temperature; and 
summer, from June to November, during which high winds prevail, 
and rain seldom falls. 

The soil on the coast is sterile, and the climate sickly; but on the 
table-lands, among the mountains, the soil is good and the climate 
delightful. At Quito perpetual spring prevails. Wheat may be 
sown so as to ripen every month in the year. 

5. Products.—The productions of the soil and the minerals are 
similar to those of Colombia. The forests are filled with birds of 
brilliant plumage, and the affluents of the Amazon are infested with 
dangerous reptiles. 

6. Population.—The inhabitants number 1,040,000, comprising 
Creoles, Indians, and the mixed races. The Indians are more indus¬ 
trious than those of most of the South American States. 

There are few roads of any description except on the table-lands. 
Merchandise is transported on the backs of mules. 

7. Chief Towns.—Quito {Jce / to), the capital, is built on the side 
of Mount Pichincha, 9500 feet above the sea, and is surrounded by 
snow-capped volcanic mountains. It has a celebrated university, and 
is noted for its literary society. Guayaquil ( gwi-ah-keeV ), near the 
Gulf of Guayaquil, is the principal seaport; it is very unhealthy. 
Cuenca ( lewen'kah ) and Riobamba are the other chief towns. 

8. Government.—Ecuador is a liberal but unstable republic. It 
consists of three departments, Quito, Guayaquil, and Assuay ( as - 
swV). Revolutions frequently occur, and the character of the govern¬ 
ment is on this account constantly changing. 

9. Education.—An educational system, including a university, 
ten colleges and seminaries, and numerous primary schools, has 
lately been organized. 

10. Religion.—The prevailing religion is Roman Catholic. 

3. Rivers? 4. Soil? Climate? 5. Products? 6. Population ? Roads, &c.? 
7. What of Quito ? For what noted? Guayaquil? Other towns ? 8. Govern¬ 
ment? 9. Education? 10. Religion? 



GUIANA. 


231 


GUIANA. 


Questions on Map No. 24, Guiana. —Bound Guiana. What 
point on the coast? What mountains on the southern boundary? 
What rivers flow into the Atlantic Ocean ? To what three powers 
does Guiana belong? Which has the eastern part? The middle? 
The western ? What is the chief town in French Guiana? In Dutch 
Guiana? In British Guiana? 

1. Position and Extent. —Guiana lies on the northern coast of 
South America, east of Venezuela. It is about 5G0 miles long from 
east to west, and about 200 broad. Area, 1G9,000 square miles,— 
about equal to that of Spain. The western part belongs to England, 
the eastern to France, and the centre to Holland. 

2. Natural Features.— Mountains. —The Acaray (ah-Jcah-rV) 
Mountains form the southern boundary: they are about 4000 feet 
high. From this elevation the surface of the country gradually falls 
until within 40 or 50 miles of the sea-coast, when it is very little 
above high-water. This broad strip along the coast is marshy, and 
at some points dikes arc necessary to keep out the sea. 

3. Rivers. —The rivers, of which the Essequibo ( es-se-lce'bo) is 
the longest, arc streams of moderate length flowing northward into 
the Atlantic. There are many picturesque cataracts. 

4. Soil and Climate. —The soil is very fertile, but the climate 
is hot and unhealthy. There are two wet and two dry seasons: 
rain falls almost constantly during December, January, and Febru¬ 
ary, and again during June, July, and August. Thunder-storms are 
frequent and violent, but hurricanes are rare. 

5. Products. —The principal products are coffee, sugar, tobacco, 
timber, dye-stuffs, rum, cloves, and nutmegs. Among the wild plants 
the Victoria Regia, the largest of water-lilies, is particularly noted 
for its enormous leaves and splendid flowers. 

6. Population. —The entire population is estimated at 221,000. 
Of these, 127,000 are in the British, 64,000 in the Dutch, and 30,000 
in the French colonies. French Guiana was for a time a place of 

Ghiana.— 1. Where is Guiana? Length and breadth? Area? To whom 
dors it belong? 2. Mountains? Surface? What along the coast? 3. Rivers? 
Cataract-* ? 4. Soil? Climate? Seasons? What of storms and hurricanes ? 

/>. Products? Plants? 6. Population of the several colonies? What of 
French Guiana? British Guiana? Of slavery ? 



232 


SOUTH AMERICA 


exile for French prisoners of state. In British Guiana many Chinese 
and Indian Coolies are employed. Slavery is now abolished in all 
parts of Guiana. 

7. Chief Towns. —Georgetown, on the Demerara River, is the 
capital of British Guiana; Paramaribo, on the Surinam 7 , that of 
Dutch Guiana; and Cayenne ( ki-en '), on an island near the coast, that 
of French Guiana. New Amsterdam is a flourishing settlement in 
the Dutch colony. 

8. Government and Religion.— In government and religion 
these colonies arc controlled respectively by the countries to which 
they belong. In the British and Dutch colonies the religion is Pro¬ 
testant, and in the French it is Roman Catholic. Education is im¬ 
proving in all the provinces. 


BRAZIL. 



CITY OF RIO DE JANEIRO. 


7. What of Georgetown ? Paramaribo? Cayenne? New Amsterdam? 8. 
Government ? Religion ? Education ? 
















BRAZIL. 


233 


Questions on Map No. 24, Brazil. —Bound Brazil. What cape 
north ? What on the east? On the southeast? Where is the Bay 
of All Saints? Marambayo Bay? Paranagua Bay? Where is 
Joannes Island? Fernando de Noronha? Martin Yas and Trini¬ 
dad? Abrolhos? St. Catharina? What mountain-range along the 
east coast? Where are the Geral Mts.? Maracayon Mts. ? What 
great river in the north ? Describe its course. How wide at its 
mouth? What are its two largest affluents north? Three largest 
south ? Describe the Tocantins River. The San Francisco. What 
two rivers flow south and form the east and west boundaries of 
Paraguay? Where is Lake de los Patos? Lake Pernagua? Where 
is Xarayes Marsh ? Where is the diamond district? Where are the 
gold-regions? What and where is the capital? Where is Bahia? Para? 
Maranham? Pernambuco? Goyatina? Diamantina? Petrapolis? 

1. Position and Extent. —The Empire of Brazil comprises nearly 
all of the eastern and central portion of South America. It extends 
from the north to the south 2500 miles, and its greatest breadth is 
about the same. Area, 2,724,000 square miles,—nearly equal to 
that of the United States. 

2. Natural Features. — Mountains .—The principal mountain- 
ranges are the Brazilian Coast Range, the Organ Mountains, and the 
Geral Mountains. The intersecting chains form many plateaus or 
high table-lands. In the interior are dense forests of great extent. 

3. Rivers .—The Amazon flows across the northern part, and, 
with its numerous tributaries, drains the largest river-basin in the 
world; in this basin are immense llanos, or grassy plains, and 
selvas covered with dense forests. The Madeira, the largest afflu¬ 
ent of the Amazon, is itself a mighty river. The other principal 
tributaries are the Tapajos ( tah-pah'zhoce ), Xingu ( shing-goo'), Ne¬ 
gro ( nay'gro ), and Purus ( poo'rooce ). The Tocantins ( io-lcan-teens ') 
flows into the Para, which is one of the mouths of the Amazon. 

4. These rivers, with the San Francisco, Parana, Paraguay, and 
their tributaries, form the most magnificent river-system in the 
world. Owing to the lack of internal improvements, travelling is 

Brazil.—1. What of Brazil ? Length and breadth ? Area? Comparative 
extent? 2. Mountains? What of intersecting chains ? Of the interior? 3. 
What of the Amazon? Of the Madeira? Other tributaries of the Amazon? 
The Tocantins ? 4. What further of rivers ? Howorossed? Of steamboat 

navigation ? 


20 * 




234 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


difficult; many of the rivers are crossed on raffs, or on frail bridges 
made of ropes. 

Steamboat navigation on the rivers has lately been introduced; 
and a steamer recently explored the Amazon to a point distant about 
300 miles from Lima, in Peru, reaching a part of the river that had 
until then been navigated only by Indian canoes. The country was 
inhabited by savages, and was found to be of wonderful fertility. 

5. Lakes. —There are few lakes: the largest, Lake de los Patos 
{day loce pah'toce), on the coast, is 150 miles long by 35 wide. 

6. Soil. —The soil is fertile in the river-valleys, and well suited 
for pasturage on the table-lands. Not more than the hundred-and- 
fiftieth part of Brazil, however, is cultivated. In the uncultivated 
regions the luxuriance and beauty of the forest are indescribable. 

7. Climate. —The climate is varied; but, owing to the extent 
of sea-coast, it is milder than elsewhere in the same latitudes. The 
rainy season is from October to March. 

8. Products. —The principal products are coffee, sugar, dye-stuffs, 
India-rubber, cotton, and valuable woods, chief among which are 
Brazil-wood, rosewood, and mahogany. The myrtle-tree, and the 
sago, wax, cocoa-nut, and a hundred other species of palm, are 
found. Hides, horns, tallow, and jerked beef are largely exported. 

9. Animals , &c. —Among the wild animals are beasts of prey, 
monkeys in great variety, and tribes of gaudy birds, including many 
kinds of humming-birds, which flit among the gorgeous foliage, ap¬ 
pearing like sparkles of the purest gems. 

10. The boa-constrictor, a huge serpent, sometimes 30 feet in length, 
is the terrible guardian of the dense forests. Alligators infest the 
rivers. Cattle and wild hogs roam the plains and skirt the woods. 

11. Mines , &c. —Brazil is noted for the richness of its mines of 
gold, silver, and precious stones. The most famous diamond localities 
are in the central regions of Brazil. Beautiful topazes are found. 

12. The pasturage on the pampas and llanos is abundant, but coarse. 
During the dry season cattle often die for want of water and herbage. 

13. Population. —The population in 1864 was 10,045,000. The 


5. Lakes? 6. Soil? What part cultivated? Of the uncultivated regions? 
7. Climate? Of the rainy season? 8. Products? What valuable woods. <fcc.? 
9. Of animals and birds? 10. Boa-constrictors, &c.? Cattle, &c.? 11. Mines, 

<fcc.? 12. What of pasturage ? 13. Population ? Who are the whites ? What 
of the others ? 



BRAZIL. 


235 



whites are chiefly Portuguese and their descendants: they comprise 
about one-third of the inhabitants. The remainder are negroes, In¬ 
dians, and the mixed races. 

14. Chief Towns. —Rio Janeiro, the capital, is situated on Rio 
Janeiro Bay, 
which in beauty 
rivals that of 
Naples. The 
city is the largest 
in South Ame¬ 
rica, and has an 
extensive com¬ 
merce. Near it 
is the imperial 
palace of Sao 
Christovfio 
( s6wng krees- 
to-voumg'). 

15. Bahia [bah- 

e'ali) is an im¬ 
portant city, on 
the Bay of All 
Saints. Pernam- STREET SCENE ,N Rl ° Janeiro. 

buco, Para (pah-rah'), and Maranham, all on or very near the coast, 
are considerable towns. 

16. Diamantina (de-ah-mahn-te'nah) is the chief town in an im¬ 
portant diamond district lying just beyond the Coast Range. It 
is on the river San Francisco. 

17. Government. —Brazil, originally a Portuguese colony, became 
a kingdom in 1808, and an empire in 1822. In 1841, the Emperor, 
Don Pedro I., for reasons of state, abdicated in favor of his son, who 
ascended the throne, as Don Pedro II., the same year. This prince is 
of the royal family of Portugal. 

18. Brazil is a constitutional empire. The government is popular 
and well administered. Brazil is divided into twenty-one provinces, of 


14. What is said of Rio Janeiro? What near this oit}’? 15. What of Bahia, 
and other towns? Ifi. Of Diamantina? 17. Government? What occurred in 
1841 ? 18. What further of the government? How many provinces? Edu¬ 

cation, Ac.? Of the press? Of immigration, Ac.? 








236 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


which there are eleven each larger than Great Britain. A good 
school and university system is in operation. Some learned Bra¬ 
zilians have attained distinction in the arts and sciences. The press 
is free, and a taste for literature is increasing. The Emperor en¬ 
courages European immigration. About 60,000 Germans and Swiss 
are now settled in about 60 distinct communities. 

19. Religion.—The Roman Catholic worship is established by law : 
other creeds are tolerated. 


PERU. 



CITY OF CUZCO. 


Questions on Map No. 27, Peru.— Bound Peru. What cape 
farthest west? Where is Callao Bay? Pisco Bay? Cape Lobos? 
Chipam Bay? Where are the Lobos Islands? Chincha Islands? 
What mountain-ranges near the coast? Where is the volcano of Gua- 
lateiri? Arequipa Volcano? Mt. Chuquibamba? What lake on the 


19. Religion? 










PERU. 


237 


southeast boundary ? What lake is the source of the Amazon ? What 
river is a large portion of the northern boundary? Name three afflu¬ 
ents of the Amazon in Peru, and state the direction in which they 
flow. What and where is the capital? Where is Callao? Cuzco? 
Piura? Arequipa? Truxillo? Ayacucho? 

1. Position and Extent. —Peru lies on the Pacific coast, south 
of Ecuador. Its greatest length is about 1500 miles; its breadth, 
about 560 miles. Area, 540,000 square miles, or about twice that 
of Austria. 

2. Natural Features. —Mount ains .—The Andes, divided intp 
two parallel ranges, traverse the western portion. The western range 
forms the water-shed between the rivers that flow into the Atlantic 
and those that flow into the Pacific. Some of the loftiest volcanic 
summits of the Andes are in Peru. Gualateiri (, gica.li-lali-tay-e.-ref ), 
next to Aconcagua the highest peak of this vast range, is in the 
southern part. Nearly the whole coast of Peru is a rainless region. 

3. Rivers .—The Tunguragua [toon-goo-rah'gwah), on the north¬ 
ern boundary, an affluent of the Amazon, and its tributaries the 
Huallaga ( wahl-yah'gah ), Ucayale ( oo-ki-ah'lay ), and Javary (hah- 
vah-re') are the principal rivers. Lake Reyes (rat/yes), near the 
centre, is the source of the Amazon. The rivers west of the Andes, 
flowing into the Pacific, are short and shallow, and are useless for 
navigation. 

4. Soil and Climate.—In the eastern part, watered by the 
affluents of the Amazon, the soil is very fertile; but a large portion 
of this part of Peru is uncultivated. In the mountains it is sterile. 
In some parts on the coast there has been no rain within the memory 
of man. East of the mountains rain falls during half the year, while 
during the other half drought prevails. 

The climate varies with the elevation of the surface. Fearful 
earthquakes occur in the volcanic regions. 

5. Products. —The products are the cereal grains, coffee, sugar, 
cotton, wool, and hides. Peruvian bark is abundant. Guano, a rich 
manure, is obtained from the Chincha and Lobos Islands, near the 

p RnTT .—1. Where is Peru? Length and breadth ? Aren ? 2. What of the 

Andes ? What does the western range form ? What of the loftiest voleanic 
summits of the Andes? Of Gualateiri ? 3. Rivers ? Lake? Other rivers ?. 

4. Soil? In the mountains? Of rain ? Climate? Earthquakes? 5. Pro¬ 
ducts? Guano? Minerals? 




238 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


coast. Gold and silver are found. The silver-mines of Cerro Pasco 
are the most profitable in South America. 

6. Population.—The population is about 2,500,000 (1859). Of 
these, one-quarter are whites, one-half Indians, and the rest are of 
the mixed races. 

A railroad from Callao to Lima has recently been constructed ; but 
there is a want of good roads, and travelling is difficult and often 
dangerous. 

7. Chief Towns.—Lima ( lee'mah ), the capital, is situated about 
six miles from the coast. This city has been several times destroyed 
by earthquakes. Cuzco ( koos'ko ), on an affluent of the Amazon, and 
far in the interior, is the second city in Peru. It has some splendid 
buildings. The plateau on which it is built is 13,000 feet above the 
level of the sea. Truxillo, Piura ( pe-oo'rah ), and Arequipa ( ah - 
ray-kee'pah ) are important places. 

8. Government.—Peru is a republic. It achieved its independ¬ 
ence of Spain at the battle of Ayacucho ( i-ah-koo'cho ), in 1824. 
Revolutions have since been frequent. It is divided into eleven 
departments. Education is constantly improving. 

9. Religion.—The Roman Catholic is the prevailing religion; but 
all others are tolerated 


BOLIVIA. 

Questions on Map No. 27, Bolivia. —Bound Bolivia. What 
bay on the coast? What range of mountains? In what part of 
Bolivia is the Peak of Sorata? Carangas ? Potosi ? What lake on 
the boundary of Peru ? Where is Lake Pansa ? What river con¬ 
nects these lakes ? Where is the Madeira River ? Name some of the 
affluents of the Madeira. What river is a part of the eastern bound¬ 
ary near the south ? Where is the Pilcomayo ? In what direction 
does it flow ? Where do all the rivers in Bolivia (except the Paraguay 
and Desaguadero) rise ? In what direction do they all flow except 
these two and the Pilcomayo? In what direction, then, does the sur¬ 
face fall from the Andes Mountains ? Where is the desert of Ata- 

6. Population? Roads? 7. What of Lima ? Cuzco? Truxillo and other 
towns? 8. Government? Education? 9. Religion? 





BOLIVIA. 239 

cama? "What and where is the capital? Where is La Paz? Cocha¬ 
bamba? Cobija? Potosi? 

1. Position and Extent. —Bolivia, named after the Liberator 
General Bolivar, lies west of Brazil. It is about 1000 miles long, 
and 400 broad. Area, 444,000 square miles, or nearly equal to that 
of one-sixth of the United States. 

2. Natural Features. — Mountains. — The Andes Mountains 
range through Bolivia: they rise abruptly in the west, and, at an 
elevation of 13,000 to 14,000 feet above, the sea, spread out into a 
magnificent plateau, extending eastward 250 to 300 miles. They are 
divided iuto two parallel ranges, the Western and Eastern Andes. 

3. East of the latter lies a beautiful country, sloping gradually 
towards the interior and the north. The western part, lying on the 
Pacific coast, occupies the desert of Atacama, a rainless region, with 
occasional mountain-torrents that empty into the Pacific, fertilizing 
narrow valleys 
in their course. 

There are in 
Bolivia, in the 
Eastern Andes, 
nine peaks each 
exceeding 20,- 
000 feet in 
height. Of 
these, Mts. So- 
rata, Potosi, 

Carangas / , and 
Illimani (eel-ye- 
mah'ne) are 
the highest. 

4. Lakes .— 

Lake Titicaca 
(, te-te-kah'kah ), 

on the boundary-line of Peru, is situated on a plateau between the 
Eastern and Western Andes, 12,795 feet above the level of the sea. 

Boi.ivrA.-l. After whom named? Where is it? Length and breadth? 
Area? 2. Of the Andes? How divided? 3. What east? What in the west? 
Lofty peaks ? 4. Of Lake Titicaca ? Where does it discharge its waters ? 






240 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


It is about 180 miles long, by 40 miles wide, and receives several 
streams. Its only discharge is by the Desaguadero ( des-ah-gwali- 
day'ro), a river flowing into a smaller lake (Pansa) that has no 
known outlet. 

5. Rivers .—The Madeira River is a part of the eastern boundary; 
its principal affluents are the Branco, Madalena, Mamore ( mah-mo- 
ray / ), and Beni ( bay-ne / ): they rise in the Andes and flow north. 
Other rivers are the Pilcomayo ( pil-ko-mi'o ), which also rises in 
the Andes, but flows east and south; and the Paraguay, which flows 
south and forms for some distance the eastern boundary. 

6. Soil and Climate .—The soil in the valleys is fertile, in the 
mountainous region sterile. The climate varies with the locality: 
in the mountains it is cold, and in the plains warm and damp. 

7. Products.—The chief vegetable productions are cereal grains 
and tropical fruits. In the lowlands, coffee and sugar are produced. 
There are in the mountains valuable deposits of gold, silver, copper, 
and tin ; but, owing to want of enterprise, the mines of the precious 
metals are no longer productive. The silver-mines of Potosi were 
once renowned for their riches. On the llanos are found vast herds 
of cattle. 

8. Population.—The population is 1,987,000. It is composed of 
Creoles and the mixed races. 

9. Chief Towns.—Sucre ( soo / kray) is the capital; it is on a 
plateau 9000 feet above the sea. La Paz, in a deep valley at the foot 
of the Eastern Andes, is the largest city, and contains a cathedral, 
14 churches, a university, a college, a law school, and other public 
institutions. Potosi, Orura, Cochabamba, and Tarija ( tah-re'hah ), 
all in the interior, are important places. Cobija ( ko-be'hah) is the 
chief seaport. 

10. Government.—Bolivia became independent in 1824. It is a 
republic, divided into nine departments. 

11. There are no railroads in* Bolivia, and hardly any common 
roads. Merchandise is transported on the backs of mules. The 
want of facilities for transportation is destroying the little commerce 


5. Rivers? Other rivers? 6. Soil? Climate? 7. Products? Minerals? 
Of the silver-mines? Of the llanos? 8. Population? 9. What is said of 
Sucre? La Paz? Coimbra? Cobija? 10. Government? 11. Railroads, &c. ? 
Of facilities for transportation ? Education ? 



CHILI. 


241 


that the State now has. The education of youth is becoming more 
systematic and extended. 

12. Religion.—The prevailing religion is Catholic; but it is not 
supported by the government. 


CHILI. 

Questions on Map No. 28, Chili.— (See Map No.. 24.) Bound 
Chili. Where is Chiloe Island? Where is Chonos Archipelago? 
Wellington Island? Queen Adelaide's Archipelago? Terra del 
Fuego? San Juan Fernandez ? St. Felix? (Map No. 28.) What bays 
on the coast north of Valparaiso? What south of Valparaiso? 
Where are the Gulfs of Ancud and Corcoyado ? What great moun¬ 
tain-range on the east ? Where is the volcano of Aconcagua ? Name 
some of the peaks north of Aconcagua. Some of those south. In 
what part of Chili are the Araucanian Indians? Where is the 
Bio-Bio River? What and where is the capital? Where is Valpa¬ 
raiso? Talcahuana? Iluasco and Carizal? Caldera and Copiapo? 
Coquimbo ? Concepcion ? Valdivia ? What towns on Chiloe Island ? 

1. Position and Extent. —Chili is a long and narrow strip of 
territory on the western coast of South America, extending from 
Bolivia to Terra del Fuego, in length about 2100 miles, and of an ave¬ 
rage breadth of about 130 miles. Area, 260,000 square miles,—about 
the same as that of Austria. The islands of Chiloe ( clieel-o-mf ) and 
Ju'an Fernandez are a part of its territory. Chili claims the whole 
territory of Patagonia, under the name of the Territory of Magellan. 

2. Natural Features. — Mountains .-^The Andes form the east¬ 
ern boundary: the surface rises from the Pacific Ocean, on the west, 
to the summit of these mountains, which here lift their numerous 
snow-capped peaks to a height of upwards of 20,000 feet. Aconca¬ 
gua ( ah-kon-kah'gwah ), the loftiest, is 23,100 feet above the level 
of the sea, and is the highest land in the Western Continent. 

3. There are eleven mountain-passes over the Andes, extending 
from Chili to the Argentine Confederation; only two, however, are 

12. Religion? Chili. — 1. Where is Chili? Area? Islands? What of 
Patagonia? 2. The Andes ? Of the surface ? Of Aconcagua? 3. Mountain- 
passes? Volcanoes? 


21 





242 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


now passable by wagons. There are eight active volcanoes, varying 
in height from 7500 to 20,000 feet. 

4. Rivers. —The rivers are all short, as they have their sources in 
the Andes. The longest, the Bio-Bio, is about 200 miles in length. 

5. Soil and Climate. —The soil on the coast is good, especially 
in the valleys between the mountains. The climate is one of the 
finest in the world; nevertheless, the people are not remarkable for 
longevity. There are four seasons, but in the opposite order from 
ours,—January being in mid-summer and July in mid-winter. In 
the northern part of Chili little or no rain falls; in the centre and 
south the rainy season is from June to September. Earthquakes are 
frequent and destructive. 

6. Products. —Wheat, corn, and other cereals are produced. 
Cattle abound. The mineral products are silver, copper, lead, iron, 
cobalt, and quicksilver. Coal has been discovered at Lota, on the 
coast. Trees of rare and rich woods, and of many varieties, are 
found in the forests. 

7. Population. —The population is 1,700,000, and comprises the 
usual South American races. The Araucanian Indians, a brave and 
warlike tribe, though often assailed, maintain their independence in 
the Andes, not 400 miles from the capital. 

8. Chief Towns. —Santiago, the capital, is situated on an ele¬ 
vated plateau, 90 miles from the sea. Valparaiso (val-pah-ri'so) 
is the chief seaport. It is connected with Santiago by a railroad. 
Talcahuana ( tal-kah-wah'nah ), on Talcahuana Bay, has a fine har¬ 
bor, the best on the coast. Huasco ( hwaTts'ko ) and CarizaU are in 
the silver district. From Tongoy [tong-go'ee) copper is exported to 
the United States. 

9. Coquimbo ( ko-keem'bo ), Concepcion and Valdivia are import¬ 
ant towns near the coast. San Carlos and Castro are the principal 
places in Chiloe Island. Caldera is connected with Copiapo', in the 
silver district, by a railroad, which it is proposed to continue to the 
Parana River, in the Argentine Confederation. 

10. Government.—Until 1810 Chili was a Spanish vice-royalty. 
In 1817 it became independent. It is now a confederate republic, 

4. Rivers? 5. Soil? Climate? Seasons? 6. Products? Minerals? Woods? 
7. Population? Of the Araucanian Indians? 8. Of Santiago? Valparaiso? 
Talcahuana? Huasco and Carizal? Of Tongoy? 9. Valdivia and other 
towns? What of Caldera and Copiapo? 10. Government? Of Chili’s advance ? 



ARGENTINE CONFEDERATION. 243 

•with thirteen provinces. Chili advances more rapidly in commerce 
and the arts than any other Spanish-American State. 

11. Education.—The educational system has made great pro¬ 
gress. Upwards of a thousand schools are organized, with an 
aggregate of more than 30,000 pupils. 

12. Religion.—The established religion is Roman Catholic; 
other creeds are tolerated, but not encouraged. 


ARGENTINE CONFEDERATION. 

Questions on Map No. 28, Argentine Confederation.— 

Bound the Argentine Confederation. What bays on the coast? 
What capes? What mountains west and northwest? Where are 
Cordova Mts. ? Vulcan Mts. ? Balchitta Mts. ? Where is Lake 
Ybera? Describe the course of the Parana River in the Argentine 
Confederation. Uruguay? Vermejo. Salado that flows into Pa¬ 
rana. Into what does the Parana empty? The Rio de la Plata? 
What other river flows from the north into the Rio de la Plata? 
Into what lake does the Dulce flow? The Bevedero? What two 
into Bitter Lake ? (These lakes have no known outlet.) Where is the 
Colorado River? The Rio Negro? What and where is the capital? 
Where is Buenos Ayres? Mendoza? Corrientes? Rosario on the 
Parana? Rosario on the Rosario? Oran? Santiago? Cordova? 
Magdalena ? Describe the proposed railroad route from Rosario to 
Copiapo in Chili. Where is the Despoblado? 

1. Position and Extent. —The Argentine Confederation lies east 
of Chili. Its average length is about 1200 miles, and its breadth 
about 650. Area, 810,000 square miles, — about equal to that of one- 
fifth of Europe. The Argentine Confederation claims all the 
territory of Patagonia south of the Rio Negro (r&'o nay'gro) and 
east of the Andes. 

2. Natural Features. — Mountains. —The Andes separate the 
Argentine Confederation from Chili. They rise abruptly on the 

11. Education? 12. Religion ? Akokntine Confederation.—!. Where is 
it? Length and breadth? Area? What does it claim? 2. hat of the An¬ 
des? How do they rise on the Chili side? How descend on the Argentine 
side? What is saiil of the Andes a't the north? Other mountains? Of tho 
surface? Of Despoblado? 






244 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


western or Chili side, and descend on the eastern or Argentine side, 
by gentle slopes, towards the sea-coast, forming an inclined plane 
without great undulations. At the north the Andes branch into 
numerous irregular cross-ranges and peaks, rendering that part ex¬ 
ceedingly rugged and mountainous. The Balchitta Chain is in the 
southwest, and extends into Patagonia. The Vulcan Mountains are 
in the south. 

The surface of the country consists principally of pampas or plains, 
and is well adapted to grazing. The region called the Despoblado 
(uninhabited), in the northwest, and a part of the Gran Chaco, in the 
northeast, are almost entirely desert. 

3. Lakes. —The principal lakes are the Bevedero ( bay-vay-day'ro ), 
Porongos ( po-ron-goce'), Bitter, and Andalgala; they all receive con¬ 
siderable rivers and have no known outlet. Lake Ybera ( e-bay'rah ), 
in the east, is a swampy region interspersed with small lakes. 

4. River s. —The Parana / River rises in Brazil, flows in a south¬ 
erly direction, and, uniting with the Uruguay, forms the Rio de la 
Plata. The principal affluents of the Parana are the Salado and Para¬ 
guay. The Vermejo ( ver-may'ho ) flows into the Paraguay. The 
Salado in the south, the Colorado, and the Rio Negro flow into the 
Atlantic Ocean. The other principal rivers flow into lakes. 

5. Soil and Climate. —West and south of the centre, the soil is 
not fertile. The climate varies in different parts, but is generally 
equable and healthy. In some portions the air is so dry and pure 
that beef is cured without salt. 

6. Products. ; —Wheat, rice, Indian corn, cotton, sugar, tobacco, 
and wine, are produced; but the raising of cattle is the chief em¬ 
ployment. In the State of Buenos Ayres ( bo / nos ay / riz) alone four 
millions of cattle graze upon the pampas. They are caught by 
mounted herdsmen, called Gauchos ( gow / choce ), who throw the lasso 
with great skill. 

7. Population. —The population is 1,172,000. It consists of the 
varieties common in South America. The Gauchos are Creoles: 
they are very ignorant, but have great pride of birth, claiming to 
be descended from the best blood of Castile. 


3. Lakes? What of them? Lake Ybera? 4. What of the Parana River? 
What of the Rio do la Plata? Affluents of the Parana ? Other rivers? 5. Soil ? 
Climate? 6. Products? Chief employment ? What of the Stato of Buenos 
Ayres? What of the herdsmen ? 7. Population? What of the Gauchos? 



ARGENTINE CONFEDERATION. 


245 



LASSOING. 

8. Chief Towns. —Buenos Ayres, on the west side of the La 
Plata, 200 miles from the sea, is the capital; it is well built, and has 
a population of about 200,000, with considerable commerce. 

9. Mendo'za, in the west, at the foot of the Andes, is an import¬ 
ant town. In 1801 it was destroyed by an earthquake. Corrien'tes 
and Rosario ( ro-sah're-o ), on the Parana, are considerable towns. 
Parana ( pali-rah-ndh / ), on the Parana River, is a flourishing port, 
and was lately the capital. Santiago, on the Dulce ( dool'say ), and 
Cor'dova and San Luis, near the centre, are towns of growing im¬ 
portance. A railroad is projected across the country, connecting 
Rosario on the Parana River with Copiapo and Caldera ( kal-day / - 
rah) in Chili. 

10. Government. —The Argentine Confederation consists of four¬ 
teen States. It is a republic ; but the president is in reality a dic¬ 
tator, and rules despotically. 

11. Religion. —The established religion is Roman Catholic. 

8. What of Buenos Ayres? 9. Mendoza? Corrientes and Rosario? Pa¬ 

rana? Other towns? What is said of a railroad? 10. Government? 11. 
Religion? 

21 * 



246 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


PARAGUAY. 


Questions an Map No. 28, Paraguay.—Bound Paraguay. 
What river on the east and south? On the west? Flows through 
the centre? What mountains in the north? Where is Grand Island? 
What and where is the capital? Where is Concepcion? Curuguaty? 
Villa Rica? Military Colony? Has Paraguay any sea-coast? 

1. Position and Extent.—Paraguay lies south and west of 
Brazil, and is included principally between the Parana and Vermejo 
Rivers. Greatest length, about 650 miles; breadth, about 400. Area, 
190,000 square miles,—nearly equal to that of the State of California. 

2. Natural Features.— Mountains .—A range of the Brazilian 
mountains extends through the eastern part. On each side of the 
mountains are fertile plains, upon which horses and cattle roam in 
great numbers. The Gran Chaco, mainly a desert region, lies west 
of the Paraguay River. 

^ 3. Soil and Climate .—The soil is 



very fertile. The climate varies accord¬ 
ing to elevation as one passes from the 
lower country to the mountains. In 
general it is mild and healthy. 


5. Products.—The vegetable pro¬ 
ducts of Paraguay are of great variety, 
and include many valuable woods and 
gums. Hides are largely exported. 
Yerba Mate ( mah-tay / ), or Paraguay tea, 
is used instead of the tea of China. The 
animals and minerals are like those of 
the adjacent provinces of Brazil. 


4. Rivers .—The Paraguay and Pa¬ 
rana are the principal rivers. On the 
Parana River are several magnificent 
waterfalls; one stretch of a hundred 
miles is a continuous series of rapids. 


MONKEYS CROSSING A STREAM IN 
SOUTH AMERICA. 


6. Population.—The population is 







URUGUAY. 247 

1,337,000. It consists chiefly of Indians, a few whites, and the 
mixed breeds. 

7. Chief Towns.—Asuncion ( ah-soon-se-own / ), the capital, on the 
left bank of the Paraguay, is a neat and cleanly city. It is situated 
nearly opposite the junction of the Paraguay and Pileomayo Rivers, 
1000 miles from the sea. Concepcion ( kon-sep-se-own '), in the north, 
Curuguaty ( koo-roo-gwah-te '), near the centre, and Villa Rica ( ved / - 
yah refkah), south of the centre, are the other principal towns. 

8. Government.—Paraguay formerly included all the territory 
between latitude 1G° south and the Strait of Magellan, and between 
Brazil on the east and Chili and Peru on the west; but revolts and 
cessions reduced it to the small strip between the Parana and Paraguay 
Rivers. It has lately extended its borders westward to the Vermejo. 

9. This State declared its independence in 1810. In 1812, Doctor 
Francia, a native Creole, usurped the government, made himself dic¬ 
tator, and ruled, from 1812 to 1840, with a vigorous hand. Some 
years after the death of Francia, Antonio Lopez became President. 
The government is a republic only in name. The people are better 
educated than those of the adjacent States. A good sehool system 
was organized by the Dictator Francia. 

10. Religion.—The Roman Catholic religion is established. Since 
the edict of toleration issued by Lopez in 184G, other denominations 
have been tolerated, but they are not permitted to erect places of 
worship. 

11. In the early part of the eighteenth century, the Jesuit mis¬ 
sions of Paraguay included 100,000 Indian converts, who were 
taught reading, writing, a few of the simplest trades, and the use 
of arms. In 1759, the Spanish government, jealous of the intentions 
of the Jesuits, banished the teachers and broke up the missions. 


URUGUAY. 

Questions on Map No. 28, Uruguay.— Bound Uruguay. What 
river on the west? On the south? What lake in Uruguay? What 

7. What of Asuncion? Other towns? 8. What did it include? 9. When did 
it become independent? What of Francia? Lopez? Government? 10. Re¬ 
ligion ? 11. What occurred in the eighteenth century ? What of the Spanish 

government? 





248 


SOUTH AMERICA, 


mountains ? What and where is the capital ? Where is Colonia ? 
Maldonado? SanJos6? Mercedes? Durango? 

1. Position and Extent. —Uruguay ( oo-roo-gwi / ), the smallest 
of the South American States, lies on the Atlantic, south of Brazil. 
It is about 350 miles long, and its greatest breadth is nearly the 
same. Area, 70,000 square miles,—about twice that of the State of 
Indiana. 

2. Natural Features. — Mountains. —The Coast Range of Bra¬ 
zil extends into Uruguay, decreasing in height as it approaches the 
Rio de la Plata at the south. The coast is low and sandy. In the 
western part the surface is gently undulating. 

3. Rivers. —The principal river, the Uruguay, forms the western 
boundary of the republic. The Parana and Uruguay Rivers unite 
and form the Rio de la Plata. 

4. Soil and Climate. —The soil is well suited for grazing. The 
climate is damp, but mild and healthy. 

5. Products. —The principal products of the soil are wheat, In¬ 
dian corn, and 
melons. Hides, 
horns, jerked 
beef, and tal¬ 
low are the 
chief exports. 
Vast herds of 
cattle and 
horses roam 
on the pampas. 

6. Popula¬ 
tion.—The po¬ 
pulation is 
about 250,000. 
It consists 
chiefly of Cre¬ 
oles of Spanish 
descent. The 
Indians and negroes are comparatively a small number. 



Uruguay.—1. Where is it? Length and breadth ? Area? 2. Mountains? Coast 
and surface? 3. Rivers? 4. Soil? Climate? 5. Products? Exports? 6. Population ? 







PATAGONIA. 


249 


7. Chief Towns.—Montevideo, the capital, is situated on the 
left bank at the mouth of the Rio de la Plata. It has an excellent 
harbor. Colo / nia and Maldonado are the other chief towns. San 
Jos6 (ho-say'), on the Uruguay, is an important inland settlement. 

8. Government.—Uruguay is a republic, with thirteen depart¬ 
ments. The constitution is liberal, but in practice the government 
is a military despotism. 

9. Religion.—The established religion is Roman Catholic; other 
forms of worship are tolerated. 


PATAGONIA. 

Questions on Map No. 24, Patagonia. — Bound Patagonia. 
What bays on the east? What peninsula? What cape? What 
strait between Patagonia and Terra del Fuego? What is Terra del 
Fuego? What cape farthest south? What islands off the coast? 
What other island? What mountains in Patagonia? Where is 
Punta Arenas ? 

1. Position and Extent. —Patagonia is the peninsula forming 
the southern extremity of South America. It extends from the Rio 
Negro to the Straits of Magellan, and is about 1000 miles in length, 
by an average breadth of about 280 miles. Area, 280,000 square 
miles, or nearly three times that of Italy. It includes Terra del 
Fuego ( ter'rah del foo-ee'go), (the Land of Fire), and the group 
of islands near the coast. Chili and the Argentine Confederation 
each claims the territory of Patagonia. 

2. Natural Features.— Mountains. —The Andes traverse the 
western part, declining in height towards the south. The Balchitta 
Mountains are in the northeast. From the mountains in the east to 
those in the west stretches a succession of terraces, forming sterile 
plateaus, about which very little is known. 

3. Rivers. —The Rio Negro forms a part of the northern bound¬ 
ary, and flows into the Atlantic. The other rivers are unimportant. 

4. Surface. —The face of the country is rocky and barren; 

7. Of Montevideo ? Other towns? 8. Government ? 9. Religion? Pata¬ 

gonia. —1. Where is it? Extent? What islands? Area? Who claims Pata¬ 
gonia? 2. Mountains? What further of the mountains? 3. Rivers? 4. Sur¬ 
face? Of rain? Climate? Harbors? Tides? 




250 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


slaty shingles and boulder cover immense areas. Rain falls in great 
quantities, and the climate is very disagreeable. Eastward it is less 
damp. There are few good harbors. The tides on the coast rise from 
thirty to forty feet. 

5. Products.—The country is a desert. The inhabitants, who 
are savages, live by hunting and fishing. Seals abound on the coast. 

6. Population.—The number of the Patagonians is estimated at 
120,000. They are large and ill formed, usually about six and a half 
feet in height. The name Patagonian means large-footed: the people 
were so called because their feet, wrapped in hides, appeared to the 
earliest navigators to be of immense size. Their feet and hands are, 
however, generally small in proportion to the rest of their bodies. 

7. There are no towns or villages in Patagonia, with the excep¬ 
tion of Punta Arenas (poon'tah ah-ray'nas ), a new port on the Straits 
of Magellan, founded by Chili in 1853. 


THE ISLANDS OF SOUTH AMERICA. 

1. The islands of South America are fewer in number and smaller 
in extent than the islands of the other grand divisions. The largest 
of those in the Caribbean Sea are CuraQoa ( Jcu-raJi-so'ah ), Buen Ayre 
(bwen i'ray ), Oruba, and Margarita. The first three belong to the 
Netherlands, and form a Dutch government, the capital of which is 
Williamstadt, in Cura<joa. These islands are moderately fertile. 
The chief product is salt. Population of the whole, about 20,000. 

2. Margarita lies about 30 miles north of Venezuela, and belongs 
to that State; sugar, coffee, cotton, and other tropical productions 
abound. Salt-making and fishing are carried on to some extent. 
Pearls were formerly found on the coast, but few are now met with. 
Asuncion is the capital. Population of the island, about 15,000. 

3. The Galapagos (, gab-lap'ah-goce ) Islands lie in the Pacific 
Ocean, about 650 miles west of Ecuador, and form an appendage to 
that republic. They are 13 in number, all volcanic, and mostly sterile. 

5. Products? 6. What of the people? Of their name? 7. What is said of 
towns and villages? Islands op South America. —1. What is said of them? 
Of islands in the Caribbean Sea? To whom do they belong? Products? 2. 
Of Margarita? Products? Population? 3. The Galapagos? What of turtle? 




ISLANDS. 


251 



4. Chincha nnd Lobos? For what noted? 5. Juan Fernandez? For what 
noted? 6. Chiloe? Population? Soil? Forests? Towns? 


The only inhabitants are on Charles Islands; and they are chiefly con¬ 
victs from Ecuador. Turtle, of the largest size known, abound. 

4. The Chincha and Lobos (lo'boce) Islands lie near the coast of 
Peru, and are noted for their large deposits of guano, the income 
from the sale of which yields a considerable revenue to the Peruvian 
government. 


GUANO ISLAND. 

5. The Ju'an Fernandez Islands, two in number, are in the Pacific 
Ocean, about 500 miles westward from Chili. The easternmost, 
Mas-a-Tierra ( mahs-ah-fyer'rah ), has a few Chilians settled on it. On 
this island Alexander Selkirk, a Scottish sailor, resided by himself 
for several years: his narrative is supposed to have given rise to the 
story of Robinson Crusoe. 

6. Chiloe lies on the coast of Chili: it is 140 miles long, and about 
50 wide, with a population of 65,000. The soil is fertile, producing 
barley, oats, potatoes, and apples. The forests are extensive, and 
supply the finest timber. San Carlos and Castro are the chief towns: 
the former is the capital. 






252 


SOUTH AMERICA. 


7. On the west coast of Chili are a number of islands, of which 
Wellington is the largest. The few inhabitants are savages of the 
lowest grade. 

8. Terra del Fuego, or Land of Fire, so called from its volcanoes, 
is a cluster of islands situated south of Patagonia, from which it is 
separated by the Straits of Magellan. It extends from east to west 
about 500 miles, and forms the southernmost part of South America. 
Some of the islands are covered with trees; others are rocky and 
sterile. The inhabitants are a wretched race of savages. Area, 
50,000 square miles. Toya {to'yah), a small island on the east coast 
of Patagonia, abounding in guano, has lately been taken possession 
of by France. 

9. The Falkland Islands lie in the Atlantic Ocean, from 300 to 350 
miles east from Patagonia. They comprise East Falkland and West 
Falkland, with a number of smaller islands. Their area is about 
equal to that of the State of Connecticut. The soil consists mostly 
of peat. Trees are unknown. Horses, cattle, and swine, introduced 
by the first settlers, are numerous, and many have become wild. 
Sea-elephants and seals frequent the shores. Port Louis is a British 
settlement on East Falkland. 

10. The islands of Brazil all lie in the Atlantic Ocean. Joannes 
( zlio-an'nes ), situated between the mouths of the Amazon and the 
Para, is 150 miles long. Population, about 20,000. 

11. Maranham' Island is at the mouth of Maranham River; it is 
about 20 miles long, and contains the city of Maranham, an important 
seat of commerce. Population of the island, about 40,000. 

12. Fernando de Noronha ( fer-nan'do day no-rone'yah) lies about 
175 miles northeast of Cape San Roque ( ro'kay ). It is well fortified 
and garrisoned, and is about 8 miles in length. It is a Brazilian 
penal settlement, and the inhabitants are principally convicts. 

13. St. Catharina is a fertile island, lying close to the coast of 
Brazil, and about 500 miles southwest of Rio Janeiro. It is 30 
miles in length, and has a population of about 12,000. Desterro is 
the chief town. 


7. Islands on the west coast of Chili? 8. Terra del Fuego? How long? 
What is said further? Of the inhabitants? Toya? 9. Falkland Islands? 
What do they comprise? Area? Soil? Trees? Of animals ? What port? 
10. What of the islands of Brazil? 11. Maranham Island? 12. Fernando 
de'Noronha? St. Catharina? 



EUROPE. 


253 


EUROPE. 



CITY OF LONDON. 


Questions on Map No. 29, Europe.— Bound Europe. Between 
what parallels of latitude does Europe principally lie ? Meridians 
of longitude? 

Divisions.— Where is Russia? Sweden? Norway? Denmark? 
Germany? Prussia? Austria? Italy? Switzerland? Holland? 
Belgium? France? Spain? Portugal? Turkey? Greece? Where 
are the British Isles ? What do the British Isles include ? 

Seas, Bays, &c. — Where is the White Sea? Tcheskaya Gulf? 
Pctchora Gulf? Sea of Kara? Kara Bay? Caspian Sea? Azof? 
Black? The Bosphorus? Sea of Marmora? The Dardanelles? 
Archipelago Sea? Mediterranean? Adriatic? Strait of Otranto? 
Gulf of Taranto? Bay of Naples? Strait of Bonifacio? Gulf of 
Genoa? Gulf of Lyons? Strait of Gibraltar? Bay of Biscay? 

22 











254 


EUROPE. 


English Channel? Zuyder Zee? North Sea? Baltic? Gulf of Fin¬ 
land? Riga? Dantzic? Bothnia? Cattegat? SkagerRack? St. 

George’s Channel? Irish Sea? Lake Lad¬ 
oga? Onega? Geneva? 

Capes. —Where is North Cape ? Cape 
Sviatoi? Matapan? Passaro? St.Vincent? 
Finisterre? Ortegal? Land’s End? Cape 
Clear? The Naze? 

Islands. —Where is Nova Zembla ? Can- 
dia? Negropont? Where are the Ionian 
Isles? Where is Sicily? Malta? Sar¬ 
dinia? Corsica? Elba? Where are the 
Balearic Isles? Where is Ireland ? Great 
Britain,—including England, Scotland, and 
Wales? Where are the Shetland Isles? 
Orkneys ? Hebrides ? Where is Zealand ? 
Where are the Faroes ? The LofFodens ? 

Mountains.—Where are the Ural Moun¬ 
tains? Caucasus? Carpathian? Alps? 
Apennines? Auvergne? Cevennes? Pyre¬ 
nees? Sieri’a Nevada? Sierra Morena? 
Cantabrian? Dovrefield ? Scandinavian? Valdai Hills? 

Rivers.—Describe the Ural River. Volga. Don. Dnieper. Dan¬ 
ube. Po. Tiber. Rhone. Guadalquivir. Tagus. Garonne. Loire. 
Seine. Rhine. Elbe. Oder. Vistula. Niemen. Duna. Dwina. 
Tornea. 

Peninsulas.— What peninsula in the Black Sea ? Between the 
Archipelago and the Mediterranean? Between the Adriatic on the 
east and the Mediterranean on the west? Between the Mediter¬ 
ranean and the Atlantic Ocean ? Between the North Sea and the 
Cattegat? Between the Baltic Sea and the Arctic Ocean. 

1. Position and Extent.—Europe occupies the northwestern 
part of the Eastern Continent: it is separated from Asia by the Ural 
Mountains, Ural River, Caspian Sea, Caucasus Mountains, and Black 
Sea, and from Africa by the Mediterranean Sea. Its greatest length 

Euhope. 1. Where is Europe? How separated from Asia and Africa? 
Length and breadth ? Area ? 



BAY OF NAPLES. 






EUROPE. 


255 



ALPS, AND ALPINE VILLAGE. 

is 3400 miles, and its greatest breadth about 2400 miles. Area, 
3,764,745 square miles. 

2. Natural Features. — Mountains .—There are several ranges 
of mountains. An almost continuous mountain-line from the Cau¬ 
casus, running westward, divides Europe into the level country 
north and the mountainous country south. The southern portion 
is greatly diversified; the Alps, Apennines, Pyrenees, and Cau¬ 
casus arc the most noted mountains of this portion. 

3. The Pyrenees, separating France and Spain, present a steep 
and precipitous face towards Spain, but descend by gentle slopes 
towards France. 

The Ural Mountains arc between Europe and Siberia in Asia. 
Mount Elburus, in the Caucasus range, is the highest land in Eu¬ 
rope, and is 17,776 feet above the level of the sea. 

4. Coast-line .—The indentations of the coast of Europe are 
so numerous that it has a coast-line of more than 20,000 miles. 
Scarcely any portion is 500 miles distant from the sea. 

2. What is said of the mountains? Of tho southern portion? 3. Pyrenees? 
Ural? Mt. Elburus? 4. What of the coast-line? 





256 


EUROPE 


5. Seas .—The most important inland seas are. the Baltic, in the 
north; the Black Sea and the Sea of Azof, in the southeast; the 
Caspian, on the boundary between Europe and Asia; and the Medi¬ 
terranean, between Europe and Africa. The Mediterranean is the 
largest inland sea in the world, having a length of 2200 miles. 

6. Lakes .—There are a great number of small lakes. Ladoga, 
the largest, lies in a depressed region of western Russia: it is sur¬ 
rounded by hundreds of smaller lakes. 

7. Livers .—The principal rivers are the Danube, which flows 
easterly into the Black Sea; the Rhine, which flows into the North 
Sea ; the Loire, Seine, and Rhone in France; the Tagus in Spain 
and Portugal; the Po in Italy; the Volga, Don, Dnieper, Dniester, 
and Ural in Russia. The Tiber in Italy, although a small stream] 
is one of the most famous rivers of history. 



STRAIT OF GIBRALTAR. 


8. Soil and Climate .—Europe extends from the 36th degree 
of north latitude to the Arctic Ocean, and has almost every variety 


5. What seas ? 6. Lakes ? 7. Principal rivers ? 
Soil and climate ? 


What of the Tiber ? 8. 















EUROPE. 


257 



of soil and climate. In general, the climate is more equable than 
elsewhere, and the changes of the seasons are more regular. 

9. The isothermal lines from America and Asia curve ten degrees 
northward in Europe, indicating a higher temperature than in those 
divisions. This is due to the hot winds from the great deserts in the 
broad tropical belt running through Africa and Arabia, and to the 
warm winds from the Gulf Stream on the western and northwestern 
shores. 

10. Products. —Europe has a great variety of products, including 
the grains of the temperate zone, some of the fruits of the tropics, 
and all of the principal fruits which flourish in the milder regions 
of the earth. 

11. The mineral productions are gold, silver, platinum, iron, lead, 
copper, zinc, coal, and salt. 

12. Of the various fisheries, the herring-fishery of the British 
Islands is the most important. 

13. Animals. —The principal wild animals are the wild boar, 
the wolf, 
and several 
varieties of 
the bear. 

Of domes¬ 
tic animals, 
the horse, 
sheep, hog, 
and cattle 
abound. In 
the north¬ 
ern coun¬ 
tries the 
reindeer is 
used for 

, , . LAMMERGEYER. 

draught. 

The elk is found in Russia and Poland, and the chamois and ibex 
inhabit the Alpine cliffs. 

14. There are numerous species of birds, of which the most noted 


9. What is said of the isothermal lines ? To what is the hiffhor temperature 
due? 10. Products? 11. Minerals? 12* Fisheries? 13. Wild and domestic 

animals? 14. Birds? 


22 * 




258 


EUROPE. 


are the golden eagle and the lammergeyer, or bearded vulture, which 
destroys sheep. 

15. Divisions. —Europe is divided into forty-nine States, of which 
the principal are Great Britain and Ireland, Russia, Norway and 
Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Belgium, Prussia, Austria, the smaller 
States of the Germanic Confederation, France, Spain, Portugal, 
Switzerland, Italy, Turkey, and Greece. 

16. It is the smallest of the grand divisions of the earth, but con¬ 
tains some of the most populous, wealthy, powerful, and enlightened 
countries in the world. 

17. Population. —The population numbers 284,346,000, and con¬ 
sists chiefly of several varieties of the Caucasian or white race. 

18. In most of the countries there is a small class of privileged 
persons, known as the nobility, who are entitled by birth to import¬ 
ant political rights not granted to the rest of the people. 

19. Chief Cities. —Europe has many magnificent capitals. The 
largest is London, in England, the capital of the British Empire. 
Paris, in France, is noted for its life and gayety, its public buildings, 
and its churches. Berlin, the capital of Prussia, is a splendid city. 
Vienna, with its imperial palace of Schonbrunn, is famous for its his¬ 
toric associations, especially those connected with the wars of Napo¬ 
leon I. St. Petersburg and Moscow are renowned cities in Russia. 

20. Rome, “the Eternal City,” is the centre of attraction in Italy. 
Constantinople is the capital of Turkey, or the Ottoman Empire. 
The chief cities of Europe are nearly all connected by railroads, 
and travel between them is easy and pleasant. 

21. In all the great cities, but particularly in those of Italy, are 
splendid galleries filled with world-renowned paintings and statues. 
The galleries of art in Rome are the richest in the world. 

22. Education.—There are universities and colleges in several 
of the capitals, and in many other cities. These are provided with 
every appliance for instruction in the most liberal course of study. 

23. The Universities of Oxford and Cambridge are the most noted 
in England. Germany, has twenty-two universities, besides several 

15. How is Europe divided? 16. What is said further of Europe? 17. Po¬ 
pulation? 18. What further of the population? 19. Chief cities? Berlin? 
Vienna? St. Petersburg and Moscow? 20. Rome, <fcc. ? 21. What further is 
said of them? 22. What of education ? 23. What further of education in Ox¬ 

ford ? Cambridge ? Germany, <fcc. ? What of Franco ? Spain and Italy ? 



EUROPE. 


259 



hundred colleges (gymnasia). France has taken the lead in poly¬ 
technic and industrial schools ; while the University of France is 
the source and centre of public instruction for the empire, and is the 
largest in the world. The universities of Spain and Italy, although 
still important, are far less famous than formerly. 

24. Education is carefully attended to among the higher and 
middle ranks ; but until recently the lower classes have been much 
neglected. General education has made greater progress in Ger¬ 
many than elsewhere. 

25. Government. —The governments are for the most part mon¬ 
archies: absolute, in Russia and Turkey; limited or constitutional, 
in Great Britain, Prussia, Belgium, and the majority of the coun¬ 
tries. Nine-tenths of the European governments are limited. 

26. Great Britain, France, Russia, Austria, and Prussia are called, 
from their extent and strength, “ the Great Powers.” Upon their 
concurrence or disagreement often depends the question of peace or 


CAPE ST. VINCENT. 


24. How is education attended to? 25. What of governments ? 26. Of the 

Great Powers? 



260 


EUROPE. 


war in Europe. On great questions it is their policy to act in unison 
and dictate terms to the other powers. 

27. Religion.— The Christian religion, in some form, prevails over 
the greater portion of Europe. In the north (excepting Russia), 
the people, comprising about one-fourth of the whole, are generally 
Protestants; in the south, the people, comprising one-half of the 
whole, are generally Roman Catholics; in Russia and Greece, the 
people, comprising one-fifth of the whole, belong mostly to the Greek 
Church; in Turkey, the governing race are Mohammedans. 


THE BRITISH EMPIRE. 



1. The British Empire includes the United Kingdom of Great 
Britain and Ireland, with Gibraltar and Malta, in Europe; and 
various colonies and possessions in Asia, Africa, America, the West 
Indies, and Australasia. These are severally referred to under their 
proper heads. The whole empire contains 7,506,000 square miles, 
and a population of 223,640,000. 

THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND. 

Questions on Map No. 30, United Kingdom of Great Bri¬ 
tain and Ireland. —Between what parallels of latitude do Great Bri¬ 
tain and Ireland principally lie ? Meridians of longitude ? Which the 
largest island? Which next? What sea between the two? What 
channels? 

27. What is said of religion ? In the north ? South? In Russia and Greece ? 
Turkey ? British Empire. —1. What does the British Empire include? Area? 





SCOTLAND. 


261 


1. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the 

centre and seat of government of the British Empire, is the most 
powerful State in the Old World. It comprises the two large islands 
situated northwest of France, the larger of which is called Great 
Britain, and contains Scotland, England, and Wales. Ireland is the 
smaller island. 

The United Kingdom includes the adjacent islands,—viz.: in the 
north, Shetland, Orkney, and Hebrides ( heb'rid-tez ); on the south, 
Scilly, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Wight ; and in the Irish 
Sea, Anglesea (ang'g’l-se) and the Isle of Man. 

2. Great Britain was so called to distinguish it from a smaller 
territory, of like name, in France (the province of Armorica), which 
was peopled mainly by exiles from Britain and was thence called 
Bretagne, or Brittany. The term was not much used, however, until 
1707, when a legislative union took place between England and Scot¬ 
land, and “ Great Britain” became the legal title of the whole king¬ 
dom. It so continued until 1800, when a legislative Union took place 
between Great Britain and Ireland, since which time the legal title 
has been “The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.” 

3. Area of the United Kingdom, 121,000 square miles. Popula¬ 
tion, 28,904,000. 

4. The privileged class, the hereditary nobility and the gentry, are 
among the richest and most powerful in Europe. They control to a 
great extent the legislation and government of the empire. The 
government is treated of under the head of England. 


SCOTLAND. 

Questions on Map No. 30, Scotland. —In what direction is 
Scotland from England? Bound Scotland. Where is Cape Wrath? 
Dunnet Head? John O'Groat’s [grawts) House? Duncansby Head? 
Dornoch Firth? Murray Firth ? Kinnaird’s Head ? Firth of Tay? 
Firth of Forth? Solway Firth? Mull of Galloway? North Chan¬ 
nel? Firth of Clyde? Jura Sound? Loch Linnhe? The Minch ? 
Little Minch? Where are the Shetland Islands (see Map A o. 29)? 
The Orkney Islands (see Map No. 30) ? The Hebrides ? Where are 

Great Britain and Ireland.— 1. What is said of it? What does it com¬ 
prise? 2. Why called Great Britain? 3. Area? 4. What is said of the 
privileged class? 




262 


EUROPE. 


the following islands ?—Arran ? Islay ? Mull ? Staffa ? Skye ? 
What hills between Scotland and England? Where are the Gram- 
pian Hills? What peaks north of the Grampian Hills? Where are 
Ben More Hills? Where is the river Tweed? Forth? Tay? Dee? 
Clyde? Esk? The Caledonian Canal? Where is Edinburgh? 
Glasgow? Leith? Aberdeen? Dundee? Paisley? Inverness? 

1. Position and Extent. —Scotland occupies the northern por¬ 
tion of Great Britain, including the adjacent groups of islands. Its 
greatest length is about 300 miles, and its greatest breadth 160. 
Area, 30,000 square miles,—-just equal to that of the State of 
Maine. 

2. Natural Features. — Mountains .—In general the surface is 
hilly or mountainous. The Grampian Hills divide the country into 
the Highlands and the Lowlands. In the Highlands are numerous 
mountain-peaks, and the scenery is picturesque. The principal peaks 
are Ben Nevis, Ben Aveo, Ben Macdhui ( mac-dwee'), and Cairngorm. 
Ben Nevis is 4368 feet high. Ben means “head,” or “summit.” 

The Cheviot Hills are between Scotland and England. Other ele¬ 
vations are the Lammermoor Hills, the Lowthers, and the Ben More 
Hills. 

3. Coast-line .—The coast of Scotland is so deeply indented 
that at some points it is not thirty miles across from sea to sea. 
The firths, or sea-lochs penetrating the coast, offer many good har¬ 
bors ; of these, one of the most noted is the Firth of Clyde. 

4. Lakes .—There are numerous beautiful lakes: among them 
the most striking are Lochs Lomond, Ness, Tay, Fyne, and Leven. 
In the Highlands the country is better suited for grazing than for 
agriculture. 

5. Rivers .—The principal rivers are the Tay, Clyde, Forth, 
Tweed, Esk, and Dee. 

6. Islands. —The principal islands near the coast of Scotland are 
the Shetland, Orkney, and Hebrides groups. In the small, unin¬ 
habited island of Staffa, one of the Hebrides group, is a remarkable 
cave, called Fingal’s Cave, formed of natural basaltic columns; the 

Scotland.— 1. Where is Scotland? Length and breadth ? Area? 2. What 
of the Grampian Hills? Other hills? Principal peaks? Cheviot Hills, &c. ? 
3. Coast-line? 4. Lakes? 5. Rivers? 6. Principal islands? What of Staffa? 



SCOTLAND. 


268 



sea flows through it. It is 227 feet long and about 54 feet broad; the 
roof is GG feet from the water. The whole structure looks like a 
work of art. 

7. Products. 

—In the High¬ 
lands, cattle 
chiefly are 
raised. In the 
Lowlands, 
wheat, barley, 
oats, and pota¬ 
toes are pro¬ 
duced. Agri¬ 
culture is car¬ 
ried to great 
perfection. 

There are many 
valuable mines 
of coal and iron. 

The latter is 
largely manu¬ 
factured. 

8. Cotton, FINGAL'S CAVE, AT STAFFA. 

woollen, and 

linen fabrics, and whiskey, are extensively made. There are valuable 
fisheries of herring, cod, mackerel, and haddock. Salmon are caught 
in nearly all the rivers. 

9. Population.— The population numbers 3,061,000, and is 
divided into Highlanders and Lowlanders. The former are the 
descendants of the Celts, and some of them speak the Gaelic lan¬ 
guage. The Lowlanders are a mixed race of Saxons, Celts, and 
Danes, and speak English with some peculiarities of pronunciation. 

10. S )mo of the Highlanders wear the ancient picturesque dress 
of tartan , or plaid. Scotland has produced many eminent philoso¬ 
phers and men of learning; the great mass of the people are sedate, 
industrious, and well educated. 


7. Products? Minerals? 8. Manufactures? Fisheries? 9. Population? 
10. What is said of the costume of some of the Highlanders? What is said 
of eminent men, Ac. ? 


















264 


EUROPE, 



11. Chief 

Town s. —The 

capital and prin¬ 
cipal city, Edin¬ 
burgh, is built 
on several hills 
near the Firth 
of Forth, and 
adjoining Leith, 
its seaport. On 
the east and 
west are high 
precipitous 
rocks. On the 
east is Arthur’s 
Seat, 822 feet 
above the sea. 

Edinburgh 
has a renowned 
university, and 
a highly culti¬ 
vated and lite¬ 
rary society: it 
is called the 
Athens of the 
North. It has a 

stronghold called the Castle, which has borne an important part in 
the Scottish and English wars. 

12. Glasgow, the third city in Great Britain in population, is on 
the river Clyde. It is specially noted for its cotton and other manu¬ 
factures, and its iron ships. It has a flourishing university. Leith, 
Aberdeen, Dundee, and Paisley are important towns. Inverness is 
the chief town in the Highlands. 

13. Important canals connect the eastern and western coasts. 
There are also extensive railroad communications. 

14. Government. —Scotland, as a portion of the United King- 


CASTLE OF EDINBURGH. 


11. What of Edinburgh? Of its university, castle, Ac.? 12. Of Glasgow? 
Other towns ? 13. Canals ? Railroads ? 14. Government ? 












ENGLAND. 


265 


dom, sends representatives t^ the Imperial Parliament. There are, 
however, some ancient statutes peculiar to Scotland which still re¬ 
main in force. The legislative union with England was established 
in the year 1707, during the reign of Queen Anne. 

15. Religion.—The Presbyterian is the established church of Scot¬ 
land; but various other forms exist. About half of the Presbyterian 
ministers, dissatisfied with the Establishment, withdrew from it in 
1843, and formed “ the Free Church of Scotland,” untrammelled by 
patronage; in this new organization the churches elect their own 
pastors. 


ENGLAND. 



NEW HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT. 

Questions on Map No. 30, England. —Bound England. Where 
is The Wash? Strait of Dover? What countries does the Strait 


15. Heligion? 














266 


EUROPE. 


of Dover separate ? Where is Beachy Head ? Isle of Wight ? St. 
Alban’s Head? Start Pt.? Eddystone Light-House? Mount’s Bay? 
Land’s End? Bristol Channel? St. George’s Channel? What coun¬ 
tries does St. George’s Channel separate? Where is the Irish Sea? 
Isle of Man? Where are Cheviot Hills? Where is the river Tweed? 
Humber? Ouse that flows north? Thames? Avon? Severn? 
Mersey? Where and what is the capital? Where is Liverpool? 
Manchester? Sheffield? Birmingham? Bath? Cheltenham? 
Brighton? Chatham? Portsmouth? In what direction from Eng¬ 
land is Wales? What waters does the Strait of Dover connect? Near 
what coast are the Channel Islands ( see small map ) ? Name them. 
To what power do they belong ? Ans. Great Britain. 

1. Position and Extent. —England is the southernmost and 
largest portion of Great Britain. It is separated from Scotland by 
the Tweed and Esk Bivers and the Cheviot Hills. Its length from 
north to south is about 380 miles, and its average breadth about 
160 miles. Area, 51,000 square miles,—about equal to that of the 
State of Alabama. 

2. Natural Features. — Surface. —There are no high moun¬ 
tains in England. The surface is varied: the southeastern part is 
level or gently undulating; the northern and western portions are 
hilly, with some low and short mountain-ranges. 

3. Coast-line. —The coast-line is moderately indented, and there 
are several broad estuaries which afford fine harbors. There are also 
some dangerous promontories or heads. On the east coast are chalk 
cliffs interspersed with sandy beaches or downs. 

4. Lakes. —The lakes of Cumberland are small, but picturesque. 
The largest lake is Windermere, about 10 miles long by 2 broad.- 

5. Rivers. —The principal rivers are the Thames ( temz ), Ouse 
( 002 :), Humber, and Tweed, flowing into the North Sea; and the 
Mersey, Dee, Severn, and Avon, flowing into the Irish Sea, St. 
George’s Channel, and Bristol Channel. 

6. Soil and Climate. — The soil, not naturally fertile, has 
been brought to a high state of cultivation, and yields the various 

England.—1. How situated? How separated from Scotland? Length and 
breadth? Area? 2. What of the surface? 3. Coast-line? Promontories? 
Chalk cliffs? 4. Lakes? 5. Rivers flowing into the North Sea ? Other 
rivers? 6. Soil? Climate? 



ENGLAND. 267 

grains and vegetables in great abundance. The climate is mild and 
moist, and the verdure of the fields is remarkable. 

7. Products.—The chief products are wheat, oats, barley, pota¬ 
toes, hops, garden vegetables, and the fruits of the temperate zone. 
Great attention is paid to agriculture; the people are excellent farm¬ 
ers. The whole country is so highly cultivated that it is like a large 
garden. Horses, cattle, and sheep are raised in great numbers. 

8. There are extensive iron mines and foundries, and an inexhausti¬ 
ble supply of coal. There are also mines of lead, copper, tin, and salt. 

9. Manufactures. —England is noted for the number and va¬ 
riety of her manufactures of cotton, woollen, silk, linen, hardware, 
pottery, and glass. 

10. Commerce. — She has the most extensive commerce in the 
world, and an immense navy and merchant marine. Her ocean steam 
navigation is very great, and gives her vast commercial facilities. 
Her merchant-vessels number nearly 19,000; those of the whole 
empire, 20,000. Within her limits are 10,000 miles of railroad. 

11. Population. —The population is 18,950,000. The people are 
chiefly of Saxon descent; but in the north are a few of Danish extraction. 

12. Education. —England is densely peopled. Many of the in¬ 
habitants are poor and ignorant. For the upper classes the means 
of education are ample. There are famous universities at Oxford 
and Cambridge, University College and King’s College in London, 
as well as many schools, such as Westminster, Eton, Harrow, 
Rugby, and others. At Woolwich ( wooVich ), Sandhurst, and Ad- 
discome are military colleges. 

13. Chief Towns. —London, situated on both banks of the river 
Thames, is the capital, and the seat of government of the British 
Empire. It is the largest city in the world, and has a population 
of 3,015,000. The Thames is crossed at London by nine bridges; 
there is also a famous tunnel under its bed. 

14. London contains many splendid buildings, some of which are 
of great historic note. Among these are Westminster Abbey, St. 
Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower, the Royal Exchange, the Bank of Eng¬ 
land, and the new Houses of Parliament. At Greenwich, five miles 

7. Products? What of agriculture? Of horses, Ac ? 8. Minerals? 9. Manu¬ 
factures? 10. Commerce? Railroads? 11. Population ? What chiefly? 12. 
What of education ? Of universities? Schools? Military colleges ? 12. What 
of London? Population? Bridges, Ac.? 14. Of its buildings? What of 

Greenwich? Chelsea? 




268 


EUROPE. 



CITY OF LIVERPOOL. 

from London, is the hospital for infirm sailors; and at Chelsea, one 
for invalid soldiers. 

15. Liverpool, on the Mersey, is the second city in England. It 
has the largest commerce of any city in Great Britain. Manchester 
is famous for its manufactures of cotton goods; Sheffield, for its cut¬ 
lery; Birmingham, for its hardware. 

16. Bath, Cheltenham ( chelVnam ), and Brighton are among the 
noted watering-places. There are extensive dock-yards at Deptford, 
Chatham, and Portsmouth. 

17. Government. —The government of Great Britain, the seat 
of which is at London, is a limited hereditary monarchy; it is ad¬ 
ministered by a king or queen, a ministry, and a Parliament. The 
present monarch is Queen Victoria, and the heir-apparent is Albert, 
Prince of Wales. 

18. The Parliament, the law-making power of the Empire, is com¬ 
posed of two Houses,—the House of Lords and the House of Com- 

15. Of Liverpool ? Manchester? Sheffield and Birmingham? 16. Bath, 
and other towns? Dock-yards? 17. Government? 18. What of Parliament? 
House of Lords ? House of Commons ? 



ENGLAND. 


269 



mons. The Houso of Lords consists of the peers,—that is, the here¬ 
ditary nobles,—who are members by right of birth, and of the arch¬ 
bishops and bishops, who are members by virtue of their office. The 
former are called Lords Temporal, the latter Lords Spiritual. The 
House of Commons is elected by certain classes of the people, and 
consists of 658 members. A majority of the members, usually, are 
persons connected with the families of the nobility. 

19. The Queen resides principally at Windsor Castle, on the Thames. 

20. Religion.— The Church of England, which is Protestant Epis¬ 
copal, is established by law. Other forms of religious worship are 
freely tolerated. The Established Church is governed by bishops 
appointed by the crown. 


CHRIST CHURCH COLLEGE, OXFORD. 

For ecclesiastical purposes, England is divided into two provinces. 
Canterbury and York, over each of which is an archbishop. There 
are besides, over the various subdivisions called dioceses, 26 bishops; 
and in the colonies and dependencies are 32 bishops. The whole 
body of clergy of the Established Church throughout the British 
Empire number about 20,000. 

19. What of the Queen? 20. What of religion? How divided? Bishops, &c. ? 

23* 





EUROPE. 


270 


WALES. 

Questions on Map No. 30, Wales.— Bound Wales. What 

island northwest? Strait between Wales and Ang-lesea? Bay west? 
Channel west? What waters does this channel connect? Channel 
south? Where is Holyhead Island? St. David’s Head? Milford 
Haven? Caermarthen Bay? Where are the Cambrian Mts.? Snow¬ 
don Mts.? Black Mts.? Where is Merthyr Tydvil ? Caernarvon? 
Caermarthen? Cardigan? Swansea? Pembroke? Holyhead? 

1. Position and Extent.—Wales, although in reality a part of 
England, deserves special notice, because it is ranked as a distinct 
principality, the eldest son of the British monarch being styled 
“ Prince of Wales.” 

2. It lies west of England, and has an area of 7000 square miles. 
The people differ greatly in language and customs from the people 
of England. 

3. Natural Features. — Mountains .—In the north and south 
are two short mountain-ranges, running east and west, and con¬ 
nected by a central range, running north and south. The northern 
is Mount Snowdon; the southern, the Black Mountains; and the 
central range, the Cambrian Mountains. Mount Snowdon, the high¬ 
est, is 3500 feet high. The scenery in the mountainous districts is 
exceedingly picturesque. 

4. Coast-line .—Surrounded on all sides but the east by water, 
Wales has an extensive coast-line, with numerous bays and harbors. 
Bristol Channel is on the south, and St. George’s Channel on the west. 

5. Rivers .—The rivers are all short; the principal ones are the 
Teify (ti'vee), and Towy. 

6. Soil and Climate .—The soil is less fertile than that of Eno> 

o 

land, and is not so highly cultivated. The climate is mild and moist. 

7. Products.—Wheat, barley, and oats are the principal grains. 
A great number of sheep and horned cattle are raised, and also a fine 
breed of ponies, called “ merlins.” There are valuable mines of coal, 
iron, and lead, and productive quarries of roof-slate. 

8. Population. —The population, numbering 1,188,000, consists 

Wales.—1. What is said of Wales ? 2. Where is it? Area? What is said 
of the people? 3. Mountains? Highest peak? 4. Coast-line? 5. Rivers? 
6. Soil ? Climate ? 7. Products ? 8. Population ? What is said of them ? 



IRELAND. 


271 


chiefly of the descendants of the ancient Britons, a Celtic race. Their 
ancestors fought for centuries against the Anglo-Saxons who invaded 
England. 

They speak the old Welsh or Celtic language, and are full of his¬ 
toric pride. Although an excitable people, they are honest, moral, 
and industrious. 

9. Chief Towns.— Merthyr Tyd / vil, in the iron-region, is the 
chief town, and owes its importance and prosperity to the furnaces 
and foundries which surround it. Caernarvon ( ker-nar'von ), in the 
north, is noted as the birthplace of Edward II., the first English 
Prince of Wales. It contains the ruins of an ancient castle. 

10. Swansea is a favorite watering-place, and has an extensive 
trade. Caermarthen ( ker-mar'then) is an important town. At Pem¬ 
broke ( pem'brook ), on Milford Haven, ships are built. 

11. Over the Menai (men'i) Strait, between Wales and the Island 
of Anglesea, are two remarkable bridges. One is the Menai Sus¬ 
pension Bridge, under which the largest ships sail; the other is the 
Britannia Tubular Kailway Bridge,—consisting of immense iron 
tubes supported by stone piers. 

12. Government.— Wales, as a part of England, sends repre¬ 
sentatives to the British Parliament; it has no separate government. 

13. Religion. —The Church of England is established by law, but 
many other churches flourish. 


IRELAND. 

Questions on Map No. 30, Ireland.— Bound Ireland. What 
channel separates Ireland from Scotland? What waters does this 
channel connect? What sea between Ireland and England? Chan¬ 
nel between Ireland and Wales? What waters does this channel 
connect? Where is Malin Head? Giant’s Causeway? Dundalk 
Bay? CarnsorePt.? Kinsale Head? Cape Clear? Bantry Bay? 
Kenmare Bay? Yalentia Island? Dingie Bay? Galway Bay? 
Where are the South Isles of Arran? Where is North Arran Island? 
Clew Bay? Donegal Bay? Lough Foyle? Neagh? Corrib? Derg? 

What language, Ac.? 0. Chief towns? What of Merthyr Tytlvil ? Caer¬ 
narvon? 10. Swansea? Other towns? 11. What remarkable bridges? 12. 

Government? 13. Religion? 




272 


EUROPE. 


Killarney? Where is the river Foyle? Bann ? Boyne? Liffey? 
Avoca? Barrow? Blackwater? Shannon? What and where is 
the capital? Where is Belfast? Cork? Galway? Maynooth? 
Londonderry ? 



GIANTS’ CAUSEWAY. 


1. Position and Extent. —Ireland, anciently called Hibernia, 
from its supposed wintry climate, and called in Irish Erin, is an 
island, separated from England and Wales by the Irish Sea and St. 
George’s Channel. It is 300 miles long, and about 200 broad. Area, 
33,000 square miles,—about equal to that of the State of Indiana. 

2. Natural Features.— A low ridge of mountains or hills, nearly 
parallel with the coast, extends on all sides of the island. The 
interior consists generally of extensive plains. 

3. Coast-line. —The coast is deeply indented, and has many 
good harbors. Cork, Dublin, Galway ( gawVway ), Kinsale, and Ya- 
lentia are the best. 

4. Lakes. —There are numerous picturesque lakes. Lakes Foyle, 
Neagh, Erne, Derg, and Killarney are the most famous. 

Ireland.— 1. What formerly called? How separated from England ? 
Length and breadth ? Area ? 2. Of the mountains ? Surface of the interior? 
3. Coast-line? 4. Lakes? 



IRELAND. 


273 


5. Rivers. —The Shannon is the largest river; it flows in a 
southwesterly direction, and empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The 
other important rivers are the Foyle, Boyne, Lifley, Barrow, and 
Blackwater. 

0. /Soil and Climate. —The soil is in some parts fertile, hut 
much of it is barren. Near the centre is a tract of 1,500,000 acres 
of Hat bog, from which is obtained peat for fuel. The climate is like 
that of England, but more moist. 

7. The Giants’ Causeway, on the northeast coast, is a great natural 
curiosity. It consists of an extensive platform of symmetrically 
arranged columns of basaltic rock, which have the appearance of 
a work of art. It is 600 feet long. The Irish legend is that this 
work was erected by giants to form a road to Scotland. 

8. Products. —Potatoes form the principal crop, and the chief arti¬ 
cle of food. Oats, wheat, barley, and flax also are produced. 

9. Coal, bituminous and anthracite, abounds, but is not much used. 
Linen is extensively manufactured, and vast quantities of whiskey 
arc distilled. 

10. Population. —The population is 5,765,000. It consists of the 
Celtic stock in its purest present condition. The people are generous, 
hospitable, and naturally intelligent. Owing to the crowded condition 
of the country, and to other causes, there are much poverty and 
misery. 

11. In many cases, the wretched condition of the lower classes 
is the result of the heartless exactions of the agents of landlords. 
Most of these landlords live in England, and are hence called “ ab¬ 
sentees.” Great numbers of the people emigrate to the United 
States and Australia, especially in times of famine, which are fre¬ 
quent, 

12. In some parts of Ireland the people speak the Erse, or original 
Irish language. 

13. Chief Towns. —Dublin, on the river Liffey, at the head of 
Dublin Bay, is the capital, and contains some splendid buildings. 
Belfast has the largest linen manufactories in the world; Cork has 

5 Rivers? 6 . Soil ? What of bog? Climate? 7 . Of the Giants’Causeway? 
How Ion-? Legend? 8 . Products ? 9. Coal, Ac ? Manufactures? 10. 

Population? Of what does it consist? What of the people? 11. What of 
oppressors, Ac.? 12 . What of their language? 13. What of Dublin? Bel¬ 
fast? Other towns? 




274 


EUROPE. 



a large trade. Limerick, on the Shannon, and Galway, on Galway 
Bay, are the chief seaports on the west side of the island. 

14. AtMay'- 
nooth is a Ro¬ 
man Catholic 
College, sup¬ 
ported in part 
by the British . 
Government. 
Londonderry 
is famous for 
its siege by 
the forces of 
James II. in 
1690. 

15. Govern- 
ment. —Ire¬ 
land, as a por- 
tion of the 
United King¬ 
dom, sends re¬ 
presentatives 

to the Imperial Parliament. The Irish have long complained of 
English oppression, and have several times revolted against it. The 
taxes, principally tithes, are very burdensome, and little is done for 
the education and improvement of the people. 

16. Religion.— The Church of England is established by law, and 
the people are compelled to support it, although three-fourths of them 
are Roman Catholics. For ecclesiastical purposes, the English Church 
has divided Ireland into two provinces, each presided over by one 
archbishop. There are ten bishops. 

17. The Roman Catholic hierarchy consists of four archbishops 
and twenty-four bishops. In the north are many Presbyterians. 


CITY OF DUBLIN. 


14. Maynooth? Londonderry? 15. Government? Taxes, <fcc.? 16. Reli¬ 
gion? 17. What of the Roman Catholic Church, &c. ? 










RUSSIA. 


275 


THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE. 

Russia, the largest empire in the -world, comprises more than 
one-half of Europe, about one-third of Asia, and a portion of North 
America. Its greatest length is about 7000 miles, and its greatest 
breadth 2600. Russia in Asia and Russia in America are treated 
of elsewhere. Area, 8,332,000 square miles,—equal to one-sixth 
part of the land-surface of the globe, or more than twice the extent 
of Europe. 


RUSSIA IN EUROPE. 



VIEW IN ST.PETERSBURG. 

Questions on Map No. 29, Russia.— Bound Russia. Where is 
the White Sea? Sea of Kara? Caspian Sea? Azof? Black? 
Baltic ? G ulf of Riga ? Finland ? Bothnia ? Where is Lake Lad¬ 
oga? Onega? Peipus? Where are the Ural Mountains? Cau- 

Russian Empire.— What does it compriso? Length and breadth? Area? 
What part of the land-surface of the globe? 





276 


EUROPE. 


casus? Peak of Elburus? Valdai Hills? What rivers flow north 
into the White Sea ? Arctic Ocean ? Northwest and west into the 
Baltic? What flow into the Black Sea? Sea of Azof? Caspian 
Sea? Where is the Crimea? What is the Crimea? In what part 
of Russia are numerous small lakes? ( Map No. 31.) What waters 
does the river Neva connect? What capital on the Neva? Where 
is Cronstadt? Revel? Riga? Pskov? Wilna? Kovno? Minsk? 
Vitebsk? [Map No. 28.) Moscow? Sebastopol? Warsaw? Mezene? 
Archangel? Astrakhan? Lower Novgorod? Kiev? In what part 
of Russia is Finland ? Lapland ? 

1 Position and Extent. —Russia in Europe extends from the 
Baltic Sea on the west to the Ural Mountains, the Ural River, and 
the Caspian Sea on the east, and from the Caucasus Mountains and 
Black Sea on the south to the Arctic Ocean on the north. Its length 
is 2000 miles, and its width 1750 miles. Area, 2,095,000 square 
miles, comprising about half of Europe. 

2. Natural Features. — Mountains. —The Ural Mountains, 1400 
miles in length, separate Russia in Europe from Siberia in Asia. The 
Caucasus Mountains lie on the southern boundary, and between the 
Black and Caspian Seas. Mt. Elburus ( eVboo-rooce) is the loftiest 
peak, and the highest land in Europe. The Valdai ( vahVdi) Hills, 
west of the centre of Russia, are about 1100 feet high. 

3. Seas and Lakes. —The Baltic Sea, on the west, and the Black 
Sea, the Sea of Azof, and the Caspian Sea, on the southwest, are im¬ 
mense inland seas. The White Sea, in the north, is 400 miles long. 
In the depressed region of Russia north and east of the Baltic Sea 
are many thousand small lakes, covering a great extent of territory; 
the three largest are Lakes Ladoga, Onega, and Peipus ( yay'e- 
pooce ). 

4. Rivers. —The rivers of Russia are numerous. The PetclVora, 
Mezene ( mez-ane / ), DwPna, and One'ga flow north ; the Neva, Luga, 
Narva, and Duna epipty into the Baltic region; the Dnieper (nee / - 
r per), Dniester ( nees / ter ), Pruth, and Don, into the Black Sea and Sea 
of Azof; the Ural and Volga, into the Caspian Sea. The Volga is 

Russia ix Europe.—1. Where is it? Length and breadth? Area? 2. 
What mountains? Loftiest peak? Hills? 3. Seas? What is said of the 
depressed region of Russia? 4. What rivers flow north? Into the Baltic 
region? Into the Black and Azof Seas? Which is the largest river? 




RUSSIA. 


the largest river in Europe, being 2000 miles in length, and is the 
only river in Russia navigable for any considerable distance. 

5. Surface. —The surface of Russia is generally level; the cen¬ 
tral part consists of steppes or plains, and is called “ The Great Plain 
of Russia." Some of these plains are covered with bogs or swamps^ 
some with immense forests, and others have but little vegetation. 
The last are what are properly called steppes. 

6. Climate. —The climate presents a great variety of tempera¬ 
ture. In the northern portions it is very cold. A great quantity 
of snow falls, in blinding storms of great suddenness, rendering tra¬ 
velling on the plains difficult and dangerous. Further south it be¬ 
comes milder, and the grains and fruits of the temperate zone are 
produced; but even in the southern part the winters are long and 
cold, the Sea of Azof usually freezing in the beginning of No¬ 
vember. Travelling in winter is principally by means of sleighs 
and sleds. 

7. Products. —In the south, wheat, tobacco, Indian corn, and 
rice are raised; in the centre, flax, hemp, barley, oats, wheat, and 
other grains; in the north, above latitude 60 degrees, owing to 
the rigor of the climate, little is produced. Oats are raised on the 
shores of the White Sea, and oatmeal is exported from Archangel 
to Norway. 

8. In the extreme north are many fur-bearing animals. The 
Russian sable is most esteemed, and its fur commands a high price. 

9. The northern forests contain many varieties of pine, fir, and 
spruce. The principal minerals are gold (found in the Ural Moun¬ 
tains and River), silver, platinum, and copper. The deposits of coal 
are extensive, but they have not yet been much worked. 

10. Mannfactures. —Russia has extensive manufactures, princi¬ 
pally of woollen, cotton, silk, linen, leather, and iron. Beet-root sugar 
is made in large quantities. Silkworms and their culture were intro¬ 
duced by Peter the Great. Bees are carefully raised, and honey is 
an important article of trade. 

11. Commerce. —The commerce is limited, employing about 

5. Surface? Of the central part? Plains? 6. Climate in the north? Fur¬ 
ther south, and south ? How do the people travel iu winter? 7. Products? 
What of oats? 8. What of the extreme north? 9. Of the northern forests? 
Minerals? 10. Manufactures? Silkworms, Ac.? 11. Commerce? What of 

the Baltic and other seas? Of railroads? 

24 




278 


EUROPE. 


1500 merchant-vessels. The Baltic Sea is connected by canals and 
by river-communication with the Caspian, the Black, and the White 
Seas, and railroads are in process of construction in various parts 
of the country. A railroad extends from St. Petersburg to Moscow 
and beyond, and one from St. Petersburg to Berlin, in Prussia. 

12. Population.—The population is 66,702,000,—chiefly of the 
Sclavonic race. There are also Germans, Finns, Circassians, Geor¬ 
gians, and Tartars. The richer nobles live in extravagant splendor. 

13. For a period of about 200 years the majority of the people 
were serfs or slaves, and were bought and sold with the land. Alex¬ 
ander II., the present emperor, emancipated these serfs in 1863. 
At that time they numbered 38 millions, of whom 16 millions be¬ 
longed to the Crown. Measures are in progress to ameliorate their 
condition. Education is steadily advancing. Eight thousand school- 
houses were built in 1863. 

14. Chiel Towns. —St. Petersburg, the capital, at the mouth 
of the Neva River, was built in 1703 by Peter the Great, who com¬ 
pelled numbers of the people to move from Moscow and other parts 
of the empire to his new capital. It is one of the finest cities in 
Europe. 

15. Moscow, near the centre of Russia, was formerly the capital. It 
is the holy city of Russia, and is looked upon with great veneration. 
After Napoleon I. captured it, in the campaign of 1812, it was burnt 
to the ground by the inhabitants; but it has been rebuilt with great 
splendor. It contains the famous group of buildings which constitute 
the Kremlin, including the grand cathedral in which the Czars are 
crowned. In Moscow is the famous great bell, 21 feet high, and 
weighing 1600 tons. 

16. Sebastopol is renowned for its obstinate and heroic defence 
against the allied forces of England, France, Sardinia, and Turkey, in 
1854. Warsaw is famous in the history of Polish revolutions. Ria:a 
( re'gdh ), on the Gulf of Riga, is a fine city. Archangel, Onega, and 
Mezene are the chief towns in the north. 

17. Astrakhan, on the Caspian Sea, and Odessa, on the Black Sea, 
are important towns; the latter is noted for its great trade in 

12. Population? Of the race? 13. What of serfs? How many? What of 
education ? 14. What of St. Petersburg? 15. Moscow? What of Napoleon I.? 
Famous group of buildings? What further of Moscow? 16. Sebastopol? 
Warsaw? Other towns? 17. Of Astrakhan and Odessa? Lower Novgorod? 



Russia. 279 

wheat. Lower Novgorod'' is renowned for its annual fair, held in 
July, when 200,000 or 300,000 people usually assemble. 

18. Cronstadt has numerous dock-yards and very strong fortifica¬ 
tions, and is the principal depot of the Russian navy. It commands 
the entrance to St. Petersburg. Kiev ( ke-ev / ) was the capital of Rus¬ 
sia when Russia was a grand duchy. At this place is a fine sus¬ 
pension bridge over the Dnieper. 

19. Government. —The government is an absolute monarchy; but 
the sovereign, called the Czar, is aided by an imperial council of 
ministers. Judicial affairs arc managed by a Directing Senate. The 
emperor has lately granted a Diet or Parliament to Finland. 

20. The Czar is called “Autocrat of all the Russias.” He has a 
regular army of nearly 600,000 men, and irregular and garrison 
troops numbering 280,000. The navy is the third in extent in Eu¬ 
rope. For a hundred years past, Russia has been constantly enlarging 
her limits and increasing her national importance and influence. 

21. Religion. —The established religion of the empire is that 
of the Greek Church; all others are tolerated. Some of the nobles 
are Roman Catholics. There are also Lutherans, Moravians, and 
Mohammedans. The affairs of the Greek Church are managed by a 
body called the Holy Synod. 

LAPLAND.— 1. Lapland is a cold and barren region, occupying 
the northwestern portion of Russia in Europe. Two-thirds of it 
belongs to Russia, and one-third to Sweden. Area, 130,000 square 
miles. 

2. A mountain-range, a continuation of the Iviolen Mountains, 
extends from east to west, and forms a watershed for the rivers flowing 
into the Baltic and into the Arctic Ocean. These streams become 
torrents in the spring. There are thousands of small lakes, and 
very extensive forests of spruce, pine, and fir trees. 

3. The climate is intensely cold; but, by reason of the nearness 
of the Gulf Stream to the northern coast, theWaranger Fiord, at lati¬ 
tude 70 degrees north, in the Arctic Ocean, never freezes. For many 
weeks in winter the sun does not rise, and for many weeks in sum- 

18. Cronstadt? Kiev? 19. What is said of the government? 20. Title? 
Of the Army? Navy? What further is said of Russia? 21. Religion? Lap- 
land. —1. Where is Lapland? T<» whom does it belong? Area? 2. Moun¬ 
tains? Streams, lakes, Ac.? 3. Climate? What of the sun? 



280 


EUROPE. 


merit does 
not set. 

4. The in¬ 
habitants, 
called 
Laps or 
Lapland¬ 
ers, num¬ 
ber about 
20 , 000 . 
They live 
in rude 
huts, and 
dress in 
skins and 
furs. They 
are a pe- 
culiar 
race, their 
origin be¬ 
ing un¬ 
known; 

they are rarely above four feet nine inches in height, but'are strong 
and active. 

5. The reindeer is the most valuable animal in Lapland. Its flesh 
and milk serve for food, and its skin is used for clothing. Harnessed 
to a light sled, it travels over the ice and snow with great swiftness. 

6. In Swedish Lapland the people are generally Lutherans. In 
the Russian portion they belong to the Greek Church. They are 
very moral in their habits, and strictly attentive to the duties of re¬ 
ligion. 

POLAND. —1. Poland was formerly an independent kingdom, 
occupying an extensive portion of central Europe; but in conse¬ 
quence of internal dissensions it declined in power, while the sur¬ 
rounding nations were becoming strong and influential. Warsaw, 

4. What are the people called? Number? How do they live and dress? 
How tall? 5. Of the reindeer? 6. What of Swedish Lapland? Poland.— 
1. What of Poland ? Former capital ? 













SWEDEN. 281 

on the Vistula, was its capital, and has been the sceno of many 
conflicts and insurrections. 

2. At different periods, its territory was partitioned by Russia, 
Prussia, and Austria,—until now, what is known as Poland is the 
territory of that name forming the westernmost province of Russia, 
lying between Prussia and Austria. The partitions were made in 
1772 and 1795. 

3. The Poles have made several fruitless efforts to regain th°ir 
independence. The last attempt was made in 18G3, and was with 
difficulty suppressed by Russia. The Poles are a high-spirited, gal¬ 
lant people, full of national pride in their former history, tena¬ 
cious of old customs, and have an intense hatred for those who have 
divided their country. 


SWEDEN. 



ULRICKSOAL, PALACE OF THE KING. 


2. What has occurred nt different periods ? What is it at present ? 3. What is 
said of the efforts of the Poles to regain their independence? What are their 
characteristics ? 

24* 












282 


EUROPE. 


Questions on Map No. 31, Sweden. —Bound Sweden. In what 
part of Europe is Sweden? What sea east? Gulf? What strait in 
the Gulf of Bothnia? What strait southwest? What strait con¬ 
nects the Baltic Sea and Cattegat Strait? Ans. The Sound. Where 
is Gothland Island? Oeland? Stockholm Archipelago? To whom 
do these islands belong ? Ans. To Sweden. What mountain-range 
in the north between Sweden and Norway? What two large lakes 
in the south? Where is Lake Heilmar? Lake Maelar? What river 
is a part of the northeastern boundary? Describe Umea River. 
Dal Elf. Klar. Gotha. What falls on the Gotha ? What and where 
is the capital? Where is Gottenburg? Carlscrona? Upsal? Eahlun? 
Carlstad? Gefle? Calmar? Christianstad ? 

1. Position and Extent. —Sweden lies in the northern part of 
Europe, and, with Norway, occupies the Scandinavian peninsula. 
It is separated from Norway by the Kiolen Mountains. Its greatest 
length is 970 miles, and its average breadth about 200 miles. 
Area, 170,000 square miles,—about equal to that of the States of 
Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin. 

2. Natural Features.— Mountains. —The Kiolen Mountains 
are the western boundary. They descend toward the Baltic Sea by 
gentle slopes, forming numerous elevated plateaus, with occasional 
lofty peaks. 

3. Seas and Lakes. —The Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Bothnia 
are on the east, and are connected with the North Sea by the Sound, 
the Cattegat, and the Skager Rack. 

There are numerous and beautiful lakes in Sweden; the largest is 
Lake Wener ( way'ner ); next in size is Lake Wetter. Lake Maelar 
(may'lar) is an arm of the Baltic; it contains 1300 islands, and i» 
surrounded by picturesque scenery. 

4. Coast-line. —The coast-line extends 1400 miles, and is deeply 
indented by fiords or gulfs, There are numerous islands on the coast 
and in the Baltic. The largest of the Swedish islands are Gothland 
and Oeland. 

5. Rivers. —The Tornea [tor'ne-o) River is on the northeastern 
boundary. A large number of rivers rise in the Kiolen Mountains 

Sweden.— 1. Where is Sweden? Length and breadth? Area? 2. What 
is said of the mountains? 3. Seas? Lakes? 4. Coast-line? Islands? 5 
What of the rivers ? Of the Gotha River ? Cataract ? 




SWEDEN. 


283 


and flow, almost in parallel lines, into the Gulf of Bothnia and the 
Baltic Sea. They are generally short and rapid streams. The Gotha 
[go'tah) flows from Lake Wener into the Cattegat. The beautiful 
cataract of Trolhat'ta is on the Gotha, and has a perpendicular fall 
of 112 feet. 

6. Soil and Climate .—In the north the surface is rocky and 
the soil barren; in the south it is level and cultivated. It is esti¬ 
mated that four-sevenths of the surface is covered with forest. The 
climate is milder than in most other countries in the same latitude. 

7. Products. —Barley, wheat, oats, rye, beans, peas, and potatoes 
are the principal products. Considerable quantities of excellent 
iron are manufactured. Silver and copper are found. 

8. Population. —The population, chiefly Scandinavian in type, 
numbers 3,800,000. It consists of four classes,—nobles, clergy, 
burghers, and peasants. 

9. Chief Towns. —Stockholm, the capital, is built on several 
peninsulas and adjacent islands, near the entrance of Lake Maelar 



ROYAL PALACE, STOCKHOLM. 


6. Soil? Climate? 7. Products? Minerals? 8. Population? 9. What is 
said of Stookholm ? Gottenburg? Carlscrona? Upsal? Fahlun ? 









284 


EUROPE. 


into the Baltic. It contains the king's palace, and has an excellent 
harbor. Gottenburg, at the mouth of the Gotha River, is the second 
town in population, and the chief seaport. Carlscrona ( karls-kroo'- 
nah), in the south, is the great naval station. At Upsal, near the 
capital, is an excellent university. Fahlun (fah'loon) is the chief 
copper depot. 

10. Government. —The government is a limited monarchy. The 
laws are made by the Four Estates, or houses of legislation. By the 
constitution, the sovereign, who is also King of Norway, is obliged 
to spend several months of each year in that country, leaving the 
national affairs to be administered, during his absence, by a regency. 

11. Religion. —The established religion is Lutheran, under an 
Episcopal government. The Archbishop of Upsal is the head of the 
church. The clergy, especially in the rural districts, exercise the 
powers of civil magistrates, and control the education of the people. 


NORWAY. 

Questions on Map No. 31, Norway. —Bound Norway. Where 
is Forsanger Fiord? North Cape? West Fiord? Drontheim Fiord? 
Sogne Fiord? The Naze? Christiania Fiord? Skager Rack? Where 
are Loffoden Islands ? Where is Meloe Island ? Near what islands 
is the Maelstrom? What mountains between Norway and Sweden? 
There are several peaks south of the centre of Norway: which is the 
most southern? Where is Kilhorn Peak? Where is Lake Miosen? 
Lake Nord? Where is Glommen River? Krodrens River? Lauven 
River? Torrisdals River? Where is Christiania? Drontheim? 
Bergen? Ilammerfest? Frederiksstadt? Christiansand? In what 
part of Norway is a portion of Finmark? 

1. Position and Extent. —Norway occupies the western portion 
of the Scandinavian peninsula, being separated from Sweden by the 
Kiolen Mountains. Its greatest length is 1100 miles, and its breadth 
from 75 to 250 miles. Area, 123,000 square miles,—about equal to 
that of the States of Georgia and Florida. 

2. Natural Features. — Mountains .—The Kiolen range, sepa- 


10. Government? 11. Religion? Norway. —1. Where is Norway? Length 
and breadth? Area? 2. Mountains? Highest peaks? Of Kilhorn Peak? 




NORWAY. 


285 


rating Norway from Sweden, is abrupt in its descent to the Nor¬ 
wegian coast. Galdhoppigen and Skagastolstind, the highest peaks, 
are about 8000 feet above the sea. Kilhorn Peak, pyramidal in 
form, has a large perforation at about three-fourths of its height. 

3. Surface and Coast-line. —The surface of Norway is rugged 
and mountainous. Everywhere there is grand scenery; wild and 
picturesque cataracts abound. 

The coast is indented by numerous fiords, or short arms of the sea, 
and offers many good harbors. Of these, Christiania Fiord is espe¬ 
cially noted. 

4. Islands. —The Loffo'den and numerous small islands on the 
coast belong to Norway. The Maelstrom [male'strum), a famous 
whirlpool, whose terrors have been greatly exaggerated, is off the 
coast near the Loffoden Islands. 

5. Lakes and Rivers. —There are many small lakes: the largest 
is Lake Miosen. The rivers are numerous but short, and at certain 
seasons become fierce torrents. They generally rise in the Kiolen 
Mountains and flow into the Atlantic or Arctic Ocean. The Glorn- 
men, Krodrens, and Lauven ( low / ven ) flow south into the Skager 
Rack. 

6. Soil and Climate. —The soil is poor. Not more than one- 
hundredth part is under cultivation. There are, however, extensive 
pasture-grounds of good quality. The climate is milder than that 
of any other country so distant from the equator. In a small por¬ 
tion of the north, snow covers the ground perpetually. In winter 
the mercury ranges from 10° to 15° below zero, and in summer it 
sometimes rises to 108° above zero. 

7. Products. —The principal crop is barley, which can be culti¬ 
vated as far north as 70°. In the south, rye, oats, potatoes, tobacco, 
and fruit are raised. There are mines of iron, cobalt, silver, and 
nickel. On the Loffoden Islands are valuable fisheries. The forests 
of Norway furnish large quantities of timber and tar. 

8. Population. —The population numbers 1,600,000. The people 
are almost entirely of Scandinavian origin, light-haired and blue¬ 
eyed, industrious, reserved, and honest. Education is well attended 
to. A great number of the men are sailors. 

3. Surface? Cataracts? Const? 4. Islands? Maelstrom? 5. Lakes? Rivers? 
What rivers flow south? 6. Soil? Climate? 7. Products? Minerals? Fisher¬ 
ies? Forests? 8. Population? Origin? 




286 


EUROPE 



CATHEDRAL AT DRONTHEIM. 


9. Chief Towns. —Christiania, the capital, is situated on Chris¬ 
tiania Fiord. At the handsome city of Drontheim ( dront'Tiime ) is a 
famous cathedral in which the kings of Norway and Sweden are 
crowned. Bergen is an important town. Hammerfest, on Qualoe 
Island, is the northernmost town of Europe. Frederiksstadt, at the 
mouth of the Glommen River, is a town of historic note. 

10. Government. —Norway is united with Sweden under the 
King of Sweden; but by her constitution she is to be forever “ free, 
independent, indivisible, and inalienable.” The king has a Nor¬ 
wegian Council of eight members, and must reside in Norway some 
part of each year, and be crowned King of Norway at Drontheim. 
The legislature, or Storthing, is elected by the people, and meets 
every third year. 

11. Religion.—The established church is Lutheran Episcopal; 
but all Christian creeds are tolerated. The eldest bishop is primate. 


9. What is said of Christiania? Drontheim? Bergen? Hammerfest? 
Frederiksstadt? 10. Government? What of the king? Of the legislature? 
11. Religion? 









DENMARK. 


287 


DENMARK. 

Questions on Map No. 31, Denmark. —Bound Denmark. In 
what part of Europe is it? What did Denmark include in 18G3? 
Ans. Jutland, Sleswick, Holstein , Lanenburg, the islands of Alsen, 
Funen, Zealand, and numerous small islands. What does it now 
include? Ans. Jutland, a part of Sleswick, the islands of Funen, 
Zealand, and numerous small islands near the coast. What strait or 
sound between Zealand and Sweden ? What waters does the sound 
connect? Where is the island of Funen? Zealand? Laaland? 
Amager? Samsoe? Laessoe? North Frisian? Fanoe? Where 
is Liiin Fiord? Nissum Fiord? What and where is the capital? 
Where is Corsoer ? Faaborg? Odense? Yeile? Sneum? Randers? 
Iliorring? What is the northernmost town in Denmark? 

1. Position and Extent. —The kingdom of Denmark is chiefly 
a peninsula, lying between the Baltic and the North Sea. It com¬ 
prises the peninsula of Jutland, a part of Sleswick, and several low 
islands, the largest of which is Zealand. It is about 200 miles in 
length from north to south, and from the west coast of Jutland to 
the east coast of Zealand about 160 miles in breadth. Area, 15,900 
square miles,— about equal to tRat of the States of Vermont, Con¬ 
necticut, and Rhode Island. 

2. Natural Features.—The country is low and flat, and is largely 
cut up by inlets or arms of the sea. The indentations are called 
fiords, or bays. Dikes are built to keep out the high water; and 
upon these are planted ornamental trees. 

3. There are a few unimportant lakes. Violent storms of wind 
and rain are frequent, and dense fogs prevail. 

4. Soil and Climate. —The soil, especially near the coast, is 
good, and well adapted to pasturage. The climate is mild for the 
latitude, and is exceedingly moist. 

5. Products.—Various grains are produced, but the land is chiefly 
used for grazing. The horses of Denmark are excellent, particu¬ 
larly for draft. The fisheries are extensive and valuable, and em¬ 
ploy a great portion of the people. 

Df.vmauk.— 1. Where is Denmark ? What does it comprise? Length and 
breadth? Area? 2. Of the surface? What of dikes? 3. Lakes ? Storms, AcJ 
4. Soil and climate? 5. Products? Fisheries? 



288 


EUROPE. 



GRAND SQUARE. COPENHAGEN. 

6. Population. —The population numbers 1,900,000; the people 
are honest and industrious, and are chiefly of Scandinavian origin. 

7. Chief Towns. —Copenhagen, the capital, is situated on the 
*sland of Zealand. It is a beautiful and flourishing city, and has a 
renowned university. Elsinore is on the sound. 

8. Government. —The government, which for about two cen¬ 
turies was nearly absolute, was, in 1849, changed to a constitutional 
monarchy. Public education, which is under government patron¬ 
age, is extended to all classes. 

9. In 1864, after a spirited defence against the German powers, Den¬ 
mark yielded a part of her territory, consisting of the duchies of Lauen- 
burg ( low'en-boorg ), Holstein ( hoVstine ), and a part of Sleswick, re¬ 
ducing thereby her population from 2,600,000 to about 1,900,000. 

10. Religion. —The prevailing religion is the Lutheran ; and it is 
required that the monarch shall be of that faith. Other creeds are 
freely tolerated; there are in the kingdom Roman Catholics, Bap 
tists, and Jews. 

6 . Population ? 7. What of Copenhagen ? Of Elsinore? 8. Government? 
9. What occurred in 1864? 10. Religion? 




GERMANY. 


289 


11. Foreign Possessions.—The principal foreign possessions of 
Denmark are the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and portions of Greenland; 
in the West Indies, the islands of Santa Cruz ( krooss ), St. Thomas, 
and St. John; and in the Bay of Bengal, the Nicobar Islands. 


GERMANY. 

Questions on Map No. 32, German States. —What seas north? 
What mountains south ? Between Bavaria and Bohemia ? Between 
Bavaria and Saxony? Where are the Hartz Mts.? The Black 
Forest Mts. ? Describe the river Elbe. Weser. Ems. Rhine. Where 
is the Danube ? 

Where is the State of Bavaria ? Capital ? Rhenish Bavaria ? 
Where is the State of Hanover? What State nearly separates 
Hanover into two parts ? What rivers in Hanover ? Capital? Where 
is the State of Wiirtemberg? What mountains in the west? What 
river flows from west to east? From south to north? Capital ? Where 
is the State of Saxony ? What mountains? What rivers? Capital? 
Where is the State of Baden ? What river ? Capital ? Where is 
the State of Ilesse-Cassel? Capital? State of Ilesse-Darmstadt? 
Capital ? Ans. Darmstadt. Where is Bingen ? 

Where is the State of Ilesse-Homburg? Capital? What river? 
In what part of the German States are the cities of Weimar, Gotha, 
Meiningen, and Altenburg? (These cities are the capitals respect¬ 
ively of the small States of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, Saxe-Coburg- 
Gotha, Saxe-Meiningcn, and Saxe-Altenburg.) On what sea is the 
State of Mecklenburg-Schwerin? Capital? Where is the State of 
Mecklenburg-Strelitz ? Capital ? 

On what sea is the State of Oldenburg? Capital? Where is the 
State of Brunswick? Capital? State of Nassau? Capital? Ans. 
Wiesbaden. State of Anhalt? Capital? State of Luxemburg? 
Capital? Where is Limburg? Ans. In the southeastern part of 
Holland. Where is the State of Holstein? Lauenburg? Sleswick? 
In what part of the German States are the cities of Rudolstadt and 
Sondershausen ? (These cities are respectively the capitals of the 

11. Foreign possessions? 

25 




290 


EUROPE, 


small States of Schwartzburg-Rudolstadt and Schwartzburg-Sonders- 
hausen.) « 

In what part of the German States are the cities Greitz and Gera ? 
(These cities are the capitals respectively of the small States of 
Reuss-Greitz and Reuss-Schleitz.) Where are the cities of Detmold 
and Biickeburg? (These cities are the capitals respectively of the 
small States of Lippe-Detmold and Lippe-Schauenburg.) Where is 
the State of Waldeck? Capital? The Free City of Hamburg? 
Lubeck ? Bremen ? Frankfort-on-the-Main ? 

THE GERMANIC CONFEDERATION. 



FRANKFORT-ON-THE-MAIN. 


1. Germany is not now, as formerly, a geographical division of 
Europe, but is the historic name of that extensive territory in North¬ 
ern and Central Europe inhabited by people of the Germanic or 
Teutonic race. The countries in which they live are still called 
the German States. 


Germanic Confederation.— 1 . What is Germany now? 






















TIIE GERMAN STATES. 


291 


2. The German States, and parts of Prussia and Austria which 
are not purely German, while independent in their local govern¬ 
ments, have formed a league for the preservation of the internal 
and external security of Germany, and for the independence and 
inviolability of the several German States. The States which are 
parties to this league constitute what is called the Germanic Con¬ 
federation. This league includes Bavaria, Saxony, Hanover, Wiir- 
temberg, numerous smaller States, four free cities, a large part of 
Prussia, and parts of Austria. 

3. The legislature of the Confederation, which is called the Diet 
of Plenipotentiaries, sits in permanence in the free city of Frank- 
fort-on-the-Main. Austria is invested with the right of presiding 
in the Diet. The States have votes according to their importance; 
but every State has at least one vote. The smaller States consist of 
grand duchies, duchies, principalities, and free cities. They will be 
enumerated hereafter. 

4. Most of the States of the Confederation are German as to their 
population; but Austria has in her provinces six millions, and Prus¬ 
sia nearly one million, of the Sclavonic race. 

THE GERMAN STATES. 

1. The German States described below are those not included 
within the boundaries of Prussia and Austria. They are—with the 
exception of Limburg and Luxemburg, belonging to Holland and 
Belgium—sovereign and independent States, owing allegiance only 
to the Germanic Confederation, an organization established simply 
for mutual defence. Their united area is 95,342 square miles. 

2. Natural Features.— Mountains. —The Bavarian Alps are 
on the southern boundary of Bavaria. The Black Forest Range 
extends from the southwest in a northerly direction through Baden 
and IIcsse-Darmstadt. The Bohemian Mts. are between Bavaria 
and Bohemia, and extend in a northwesterly direction to Saxony. 
At Saxony they are joined by the Thuringian Mts., which continue 

2. What of the German States? What is the league called? What does it 
include? 3. What of the legislature of the league? When and where does it 
sit ? Who presides? How do the States vote? What arc the smaller States? 
4. What of the population? German States. —1. What States described, and 
what of them? 2. Bavarian Alps? Black Forest? Bohemian Mts. ? Thurin¬ 
gian Mts. ? Hart* Mts. ? 



292 


EUROPE. 


in a northwesterly direction to Hesse-Cassel. From Hesse-Cassel 
the range goes directly north to Brunswick, under the name of the 
Hartz Mts. 

3. Surface. —The southern and central portions of the German 
States are elevated, undulating, and sometimes mountainous, with 
many fertile valleys. In the north, west of the Elbe, is a series of 
moorlands, nearly destitute of trees; east of the Elbe the surface is 
sandy, largely covered with pine woods, but interspersed with fer¬ 
tile tracts. 

4. Rivers .—The principal rivers of the German States are the 
Elbe, Weser, Ems, and Rhine, flowing into the North Sea, and the 
Danube, flowing from west to east into Austria. 

5. Products. —In the German States all the grains and fruits of 
the temperate zone flourish. The largest grain-fields are in the 
southern States. The other principal products are iron, steel, china, 
glass, gold and silver wares, cotton, woollen, linen, and silk fabrics, 
leather, hardware, toys, paper, choice wines, and beer. 

6. Education. —The German universities are numerous, and 
among the most famous in the world. The education of the people 
is encouraged; and there are few who cannot read and write. 

7. Religion. —The Roman Catholic and Protestant religions pre¬ 
vail in all the States: the former preponderates. 

BAVARIA. 

1. The kingdom of Bavaria is the largest of the southern German 
States. It consists of two portions, situated about forty miles apart, 
and separated by the duchies of Baden and Darmstadt. The smaller 
portion, lying along the west bank of the Rhine, is called Rhenish 
Bavaria. Area, 28,500 square miles. Population, 4,808,000. 

2. Munich, the capital, situated on the Iser (e / zer), a tributary 
of the Danube, is a fine city. Nuremberg has many relics of the 
Middle Ages. In Bavaria are the famous battle-fields of Blenheim 
( blen'im ) and Hohenlinden. 

3. The government is a constitutional monarchy, mildly adminis¬ 
tered. The people are chiefly Roman Catholics; but there are many 
Protestants. 

3. Surface? North, west of the Elbe? East of the Elbe? 4. Rivers? 5. 
Products? Other products? 6. Education? 7. Religion? Bavaria.—1. 

What is said of Bavaria? Area? Population? 2. What of Munich ? Nurem¬ 
berg? What in Bavaria? 3. Government? 



THE GERMAN STATES. 


293 


SAXONY. 

1. The kingdom of Saxony lies between Prussia and Austria, 
and comprises a fertile tract, divided nearly through the centre by 
the Elbe. Area, 5700 square miles. Population, 2,344,000. 

2. Dresden, the capital, on both banks of the Elbe, is renowned 








SCENE IN DRESDEN. 


for its splendid collections of art, and for its royal library. Leipsic 
is noted for its great fair, and its extensive book-trade. Here was 
fought, in 1813, a terrible three days’ conflict between Napoleon I. 
and the Allies. 

3. The government of Saxony is a constitutional monarchy. The 
Protestant religion, chiefly in the Lutheran form, prevails; there 
are many Roman Catholics. 


HANOVER. 

1. The kingdom of Hanover consists of a large and sterile tract 
of low land, bordering on the North Sea, and a small portion of terri- 

Saxont. — 1. What is said of Saxony? Area? Population ? 2. What of 

Drcsdon ? Leipsio ? 3. Government? Hanover. — 1. What is said of Hanovor ? 

25* 





294 


EUROPE. 


tory separated from the rest of the kingdom by Brunswick. Area, 
14,600 square miles. Population, 1,924,000. 

2. Hanover, the capital, is noted as the birthplace of the elder 
Herschel. It consists of an old and a new town ; the latter is hand¬ 
somely built. At Gottingen ( geVting-en) is a famous university. 

3. Hanover until the year 1815 was an electorate. In 1714 the 
reigning Elector succeeded to the throne of England, with the title 
of George I. The two crowns were thus united, and this union 
continued until 1837, when Queen Victoria ascended the throne of 
England. Females being excluded from the Hanoverian succession 
by the Salic law, her uncle, Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, 
then became King of Hanover. 

4. The prevailing religion is Protestant, of the Lutheran creed. 

WURTEMBERG. 

1. The kingdom of Wiirtemberg is divided into four parts, called 
circles, and lies between Bavaria and Baden. Area, 7600 square 
miles. Population, 1,749,000. 

2. Stuttgard, the capital, is situated near the Neckar River, and 
is noted for its great library, which contains more than 200,000 
volumes. Ulm is memorable as the scene of the capture of the Aus¬ 
trian army, in 1805, by Napoleon I. 

3. The government is a constitutional monarchy. The Calvinists 
and Lutherans, by a union, have formed-what is called the Evangeli¬ 
cal Church, which predominates. There are, besides these, many 
Protestants and Roman Catholics. 

THE SMALLER STATES. 

The smaller German States consist of numerous grand duchies, 
duchies, principalities, and free cities. 

1. Baden.—The grand duchy of Baden [bah'den) is the south- 
easternmost German State, and is separated from France by the 
Rhine. Carlsruhe, the capital, and Mannheim ( man'hime ), at the 
junction of the Rhine and the Neckar, are fine cities. At Ileidel- 

Area? Population? 2. What of the capital ? Gottingen? 3. What further 
is said of Hanover ? What of the two crowns ? 4. Religion ? Wurtemberg 

—1. What is said of Wiirtemberg? Area? Population? 2. What of Stutt¬ 
gard? Ulm? 3. Government? Religion? The Smaller States.— Of what 
do the smaller German States consist? 1. What of Baden ? Capital ? Heidel¬ 
berg ? Baden ? 




THE GERMAN STATES. 


295 


berg ( hi'del - 
bertj) is a famous 
university. The 
city of Baden is 
a noted water¬ 
ing-place. Area, 
5700 square 
miles. Popula¬ 
tion, 1,435,000. 

2. Hessian 
State s.— The 
Ilessian States 
comprise the 
electorate of 


Ilesse-Cassel, the 
grand duchy of 
Ilesse-Darm- 
stadt, and the 
landgraviate of 
Hesse-Horn burg. 

Hesse-Cas- 
sel.—Ilesse-Cas- 
sel lies south of 
Hanover. It com¬ 
prises three small 
districts, one of 

which is situated thirty-five miles north, and the other twenty miles 
east, of the principal territory. Cassel is the capital. Area, 4400 
square miles. Population, 745,000. 

Hesse-Darmstadt.—Hesse-Darmstadt consists of three districts, 
two of which are on the north and the other on the south side of the 
river Main. Darmstadt is the capital. Worms and Mentz, on the 
Rhine, are important towns. Area, 3800 square miles. Population, 


CHATEAU IN GERMANY. 



854,000. 


Hesse-Homburg.—Hesse-IIomburg comprises two sections, fifty 
miles from each other. Ilomburg is the capital. Area, 10G square 
miles. Population, 27,000. 


2. Whftt do the Hessian States comprise ? What of Hesse-Cassel ? Hesse- 
Darmstadt? Hesse-Homburg? 



296 


EUROPE. 


3. Saxon Duchies. — The Saxon duchies comprise the grand 
duchy of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach ( sax wi' mar i'zen-ak) and the duchies 
of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (go'tali), Saxe-Meiningen ( mi'ning-en ), and 
Saxe-Altenburg. They are situated between Prussia and Bavaria, 
the kingdom of Saxony and the Hessian States. Saxe-Coburg includes 
a small district lying 170 miles southwest of the rest of the duchy. 
Weimar, Gotha, Meiningen, and Altenburg are the capitals of the 
Saxon duchies. Area of the four duchies, 3650 square miles. Popu¬ 
lation, 764,000. 

4. Mecklenburg.—Mecklenburg comprises the grand duchies 
of Mecklenburg-Schwerin ( shway-reen') and Mecklenburg-StrePitz. 
They lie near the Baltic. The capitals are Schwerin and New 
Strelitz. Area, 5700 square miles. Population, 662,000. 

5. Oldenburg.—The grand duchy of Oldenburg is almost sur¬ 
rounded by the eastern and western portions of Hanover, and has a 
small extent of sea-coast on the North Sea. Oldenburg is the capi¬ 
tal ; it is a well-built city, with a handsome ducal palace. Area, 
2500 square miles. Population, 302,000. 

6. Brunswick.—The duchy of Brunswick consists of five distinct 
portions, surrounded by the territories of Prussia and Hanover. 
The city of Brunswick, the capital, is noted for its annual fairs. 
Area, 1500 square miles. Population, 294,000. 

7. Nassau.—The duchy of Nassau is situated on the rivers Rhine 
and Main. Wiesbaden (wees'bah-den), the capital, is much visited 
for its warm springs, which have been noted ever since the times 
of the Romans. Area, 1800 square miles. Population, 468,000. 

8. Anhalt.—The duchy of Anhalt consists of three States, each 
of which was formerly independent; it is entirely enclosed by Prus¬ 
sia and Saxony. The capital is Dessau (des'sow). Area, 1000 
square miles. Population, 193,000. 

9. Limburg and Luxemburg. — The duchy of Limburg and 
the grand duchy of Luxemburg belong partly to Belgium and 
partly to Holland. The titles “Grand Duke of Luxemburg” and 
“ Duke of Limburg,” and the right of voting in the German Diet, 


3. What do the Saxon duchies comprise? Where situated? Capitals? 4. 
What is said of Mecklenburg? Capitals? 5. What of Oklenburg? Capital ? 
6. What of Brunswick? Capital? 7. What of Nassau? Capital? For what 
famous? 8. What of Anhalt? Capital? 9. What of Limburg and Luxem¬ 
burg ? Capitals ? 




THE GERMAN STATES. 


297 


are enjoyed by the King of Holland. Maastricht (mahs'trikt), on the 
Meuse, is the capital of Limburg; and Luxemburg, that of the grand 
duchy. Population, 428,000. 

10. Holstein, Lauenburg, and Sleswick. —The duchies of Hol¬ 
stein and Lauenburg, and a part of Sleswick, until 1864, belonged 
to Denmark ; they are now independent. Kiel (keeiy, Al'tona, and 
GlUckstadt (gleek'staht) are the chief towns of Holstein, and Lauen¬ 
burg is the principal town of Lauenburg. Area, 6000 square miles. 
Population, 600,000. 

11. Schwartzburg - Rudolstadt and Schwartzburg - Son- 
dershausen. —The principalities of Schwartzburg-Rudolstadt and 
Schwartzburg-Sondershausen (Shwarts'burg son'ders-how-zen ) are 
separate territories, lying about twenty-five miles apart. The capitals 
are Rudolstadt and Sondershausen. Area of the two principalities, 750 
square miles. Population of the former, 74,000; of the latter, 66,000. 

12. Reuss-Greitz and Reuss-Schleitz.—The principalities of 
Reuss-Greitz ( ruce-grites ) and Reuss-Schleitz ( shlites) are separated 
by a short distance from each other. Grcitz and Gera (gay'rah) are 
the capitals. Area of the two, 588 square miles. Population, 130,000. 

13. Lippe-Detmold and Lippe-Schauenburg. — The princi¬ 
palities of Lippe-Detmold and Lippe-Schauenburg (lip'peh sliuw'en- 
boorg) aresituated on the Weser River, the latter on the north and the 
former on the south side. Detmold and Biickeburg are the capitals. 
Area of the two, 600 square miles. Population, 132,000. 

14. Waldeck. —The principality of Waldeck consists of two sec¬ 
tions, about 30 miles from each other. Ar'olsen is the capital. Area, 
454 square miles. Population, 59,000. 

15. Free Cities. —The Free Cities of Germany are Hamburg, 
Lubeck, Bremen, and Frankfort-on-the-Main. These are all that 
remain of the famous Hanseatic League, that once comprised eighty- 
five of the most commercial European towns, and that ruled, by 
wealth and arms, a great part of Northern Europe. Each of these 
cities has a small territory attached to it. 

Hamburg, on the Elbe, near its mouth, is the greatest commercial 

10. What of Holstein, Lauenburg, and a part of Sleswick? Chief towns? 
11. What of Schwartzburg-Rudolstadt and Schwartzburg-Sondershausen? 
Capitals? 12. What of Reuss Greitz and Reuss-Schleitz? Capitals? lit. 
What of Lippe-Detmold and Lippe-Schauenburg? Capitals? 14. Whnt of 
Waldeck? Capital ? 15. What of the Tree Cities of Germany? Hamburg? 

Lubeck? Bremen? Frankfort-on-the-Main? 




298 


EUROPE. 


port on the continent of Europe. Area (of city and territory), 149 
square miles. Population, 229,000. 

Lubeck is on the river Trave, near the Baltic Sea. Area (of city 
and territory), 142 square miles. Population, 51,000. 

Bremen, on the Weser, is an important commercial town. Area 
(of city and territory), 112 square miles. Population, 104,000. 

Frankfort-on-the-Main, the capital of the Germanic Confederation, 
is a beautiful city, and noted for its splendid public gallery of art. 
Area (of city and territory), 91 square miles. Population, 91,000. 


PRUSSIA. 

Questions on Map No. 32, Prussia.— In what part of Europe 

is Prussia? Near what sea does it -principally lie? What States 
between the west and east parts of Prussia? Ans. German States. 
What countries south? In what part is East Prussia? Silesia ? West¬ 
phalia? Rhine? What two countries west of Westphalia and the 
Rhine? Where is Curische Haff? Gulf of Dantzic? Rugen Bay? 
Gross Ilaff? Cape Arcona? Rugen Island? Where are the Sudetic 
Mts.? RiesenGebirge Mts. ? Describe the river Niemen. Vistula. 
Oder. Elbe. Rhine. Moselle. Where is Lake Spirding? Where 
and what is the capital ? Where is Konigsberg? Dantzic? Stettin? 
Stralsund? Magdeburg? Halle? Breslau? Frankfort-on-the- 
Oder? Potsdam? Cologne? Coblentz? Ehrenbreitstein ? Dus- 
seldorf? Aix-la-Chapelle ? 

1. Position and Extent. —The kingdom of Prussia lies near the 
centre of Europe. It consists of eight provinces, all of which, except 
East Prussia and Posen, are united with the Germanic Confederation. 
It is divided into many detached portions, the principal sections being 
Eastern Prussia and Rhenish Prussia. The kingdom of Hanover and 
the Hessian principalities separate these two. Area, 107,300 square 
miles,—nearly equal to that of the States of Illinois and Iowa. 

2. Natural Features. —The chief mountain-ranges are the Sudetic 
and RiesenGebirge {re / zen-ghe-beerg'eh), on the southeastern bound¬ 
ary. The surface for the most part is level, or slightly undulating. 

Prussia.—1. Where is Prussia? Provinces? How divided? IIow sepa¬ 
rated? Area? 2. Mountains ? Surface? 




PRUSSIA. 


299 



3. Coast-line .—Prussia has a coast-line of about 500 miles on 
the Baltic; there are few good harbors. 

4. Rivers .—The principal rivers of East Prussia are the Vistula, 
Oder, and Niemen (nee'men), emptying into the Baltic Sea, and the 
Elbe and We- 
ser, emptying 
into the North 
Sea. The Rhine 
flows through 
Rhenish Prus¬ 
sia ; and from 
this circum¬ 
stance the pro 
vince derives its 
name. 

5. Soil and 
C l i m a t e .— 

The soil in the 
west is fertile 
and productive; 
in the east it is 
moderately fer¬ 
tile, but, with 
careful cultiva¬ 
tion, excellent 
crops are ob¬ 
tained. The cli¬ 
mate in the 
north, near the R0YAL PALACE * BERUN - 

Baltic Sea, is cool and changeable; in the vicinity of the Rhine it is 
salubrious and delightful. 


6. Products. —The cereal grains are largely produced. Cattlo 
and swine are raised in great numbers. Tobacco, beet-root sugar, 
and vast quantities of beer and spirits are manufactured; wines are 
produced in the southern Rhine provinces. 

7. Coal, zinc, iron, and copper abound, and mining is successfully 


3. Coast-line? 4. Rivers? 5. Soil? Climate? C. Produots? 7. Minerals? 
Manufactures? Lumber? 






















300 


EUROPE. 


conducted. Fine iron is cast into various and delicate forms, 
constituting the toys, trinkets, and table-ornaments known as Berlin 
jewelry. The manufactures are various and extensive. Large 
quantities of lumber are obtained from the forests. 

8. Population. — The population is 19,305,000,—principally of 
German and Sclavonic origin. There are many Lithuanians and 
some Jews. 

9. Chief Towns. —Berlin, the capital, on the river Spree [spray), 
a branch of the Elbe, is a splendid city. Near the Baltic, the chief 
towns are Konigsberg [ken'igz-berg), Dantzic, Stettin, and Stralsund. 
Magdeburg is famous for its strong fortifications, and for the event¬ 
ful part it played in the Thirty Years’ War. Halle ( haVleh) has 
valuable salt-works. Breslau and Frankfort, on the Oder, are noted 
for their great annual fairs, and Potsdam for the palace of Frederick 
the Great, called Sans Souci (free from care). 

10. In Rhenish Prussia are some famous cities. Among these are 
Cologne ( ko-lone / ), noted for its cathedral, and its manufacture of 
Cologne water; Cob / lentz and Ehrenbreitstein [ay'ren-briie'stine), 
for their fortifications, facing each other on opposite banks of the 
Rhine; Dusseldorf, for its school of modern painters: and Aix-la- 
Chapelle ( aiks-lah-shah-peV ), for having been the favorite residence 
and the burial-place of Charlemagne. 

11. Government. —The government is a constitutional monarchy. 
All able-bodied citizens must serve in the army for three years. 

12. Religion. —All forms of religion are tolerated; but the pre¬ 
vailing denomination is a union of Lutherans and Calvinists, called 
the Evangelical Church. 

13. Education.—There are universities at Berlin, Konigsberg, 
Halle, Breslau, Greifswalde ( grifes-wahl'deh ), and Bonn ; besides 
these, there are numerous gymnasia or colleges, many military and 
naval academies, splendid public libraries, and a large number 
of public schools, with an excellent system of education. 

8. Population? 9. Of Berlin? Towns near the Baltic ? Magdeburg? Halle? 
Breslau and Frankfort ? 10. Cities in Rhenish Prussia ? Coblentz, <fcc. ? Dus¬ 
seldorf? Aix-la-Chapelle? 11. Government? 12. Religion ? 13. Education ? 



HOLLAND. 


301 


HOLLAND. 


Questions on Map No. 32, Holland. —Bound Holland. What 
water on the north and west? What sea (or zee) projects from the 
North Sea into Holland? What rivers flow into the Zuyder Zee? 
What river flows into the North Sea? Where in Holland is the 
German State of Limburg? Where and what is the capital? Where 
is Amsterdam? Utrecht? Rotterdam? Groningen? Arnhem? 
Haarlem? Maestricht? Leyden? 



1. Posi¬ 
tion and 
Extent.— 

The k i n g- 
dom of Hol¬ 
land, some¬ 
times called 
the King¬ 
dom of the 
Nether¬ 
lands, lies 
on the North 
Sea, west 
II a n o v e r 
and Prussia. 

It is about 
1G0 miles 
long, and 
100 broad. 

Area, 13,800 
square 
miles,— C,TY 0F HAGUE - 

equal to that of New Hampshire and Connecticut. 

2. Natural Features. —The surface of the country near the coast 
is very low. To exclude the water of the ocean, there are embank- 


Holland. —1. Where is Holland? Length nnd breadth? Area? 2. Sur¬ 
face? Of dikes? 

26 















302 


EUROPE. 


ments called dikes. Some of these are naturally formed; but for 
the most part they are artificial, being built of timber, granite, and 
earth. A few are 30 feet high, 70 feet broad at bottom, and wide 
enough at the top for a broad roadway. 

3. Rivers. —The Rhine, Meuse [muze), Scheldt ( skelt ), Am / stel, 
and other rivers, flow through Holland in a northwesterly direction, 
and empty into the North Sea or the Zuyder Zee. Canals are more 
numerous here than in any other country; a vast trade is carried on 
by them. 

4. The Zuyder ( zi'der) Zee is a gulf or bay on the coast, with an 
area of 12,000 square miles. In ancient times it was a swampy lake 
of moderate dimensions; but in consequence of severe inundations 
and the breaking away of dikes it has become an arm of the sea. 
The great inundation that determined its present dimensions oc¬ 
curred in 1282, when 72 villages were submerged and more than 
100,000 persons drowned. 

5. Soil and Climate .—The soil is not remarkable for fertility, 
but is so well tilled that it produces liberally. The climate is moist, 
and subject to considerable extremes of heat and cold, but is healthy. 

6. Products. —Wheat, rye, barley, and flax are produced, with a 
variety of fruits, and many curious bulbs and flower-roots. Cattle 
are raised in great numbers; butter and cheese are largely exported. 
The fisheries, particularly of herring, are very productive. 

7. Manufactures are numerous, especially those of linen, velvet, 
and earthenware. There are a great many distilleries of gin and 
other liquors. Windmills are extensively used for motive power. 

8. Population. —The inhabitants number 3,700,000. They are 
chiefly descendants of the ancient Batavi. They are a very healthy 
people, honest and industrious, and scrupulously neat in their per- 

% sons and houses. The women are remarkable for beauty, and the 
men for sedate and phlegmatic manners. The system of education, 
•which is excellent, is conducted by the government. 

9. Chief Towns. —The capital is Hague, a handsome city near 
the North Sea. Amsterdam, on an arm of the Zuyder Zee, is the 

3. Rivers? Canals? 4. What of Zuyder Zee? When did the great inun¬ 
dation occur? 5. Soil? Climate? 6. Products? Of cattle, &c.? Fisheries? 
7. Manufactures? Distilleries? Of windmills? 8. Population? Descent? 
What of them ? Of the women ? Of the men ? Of education ? 9. Of Hague? 
Other towns ? 



HOLLAND. 


303 


chief city. Rotterdam, Haarlem and Maestricht are im¬ 

portant towns. At Leyden ( li'den ), Utrecht ( yoo'lrekt ), and Gronin¬ 
gen ( gron'ing-en ) are famous universities. 

10. Government.—The government is a constitutional monarchy, 
hereditary in the house of Orange. The eldest son of the king is 
called Prince of Orange. The king, with a council, is the executive. 
There are two houses of legislature, constituting the States-General. 

11. Several 
railroads 
have been 
constructed ; 
but most of 
the commu¬ 
nication is by 
means of ca¬ 
nals, upon 
which boats 
ply in sum¬ 
mer, and 
which in win¬ 
ter, when fro¬ 
zen, make ex¬ 
cellent high¬ 
ways. There 
are 000 ship¬ 
yards. 

12. Religion.—The prevailing denominations are the Presbyterian 
and Roman Catholic. There are also Lutherans, Baptists, and many 
Jews. All sects are equal in the eye of the law. 

13. Colonial Possessions.—Holland has extensive foreign pos- . 
sessions. In Ihc East Indies, the principal possessions are Java, 
Banca, and Ternate (ter-naht'), besides portions of the islands of Su¬ 
matra, Borneo, Celebes ( sel'e-bes ), and Papua ( pap'oo-ah) (these pos¬ 
sessions are called Dutch India); in the West Indies, Curatjoa, St. 
Eustatius, part of St. Martin; in Africa, portions of territory on the 
coast of Guinea, and elsewhere; in South America, Surinam. 


10. Government? 11. Railroads, Ac.? Ship-yards? 12. Religion? 13. 
Colonial possessions? In the East Indies? West Indies? Where else? 



CITY OF AMSTERDAM. 




















304 


EUROPE. 


BELGIUM. 

Questions on Map No 32, Belgium. —Bound Belgium. What 
water on the west? AVliat rivers flow through Belgium in a north¬ 
erly direction? What and where is the capital? AVhere is Liege? 
Antwerp? Ghent? Bruges? Ostend? Waterloo? Louvain? Na¬ 
mur? Mechlin? Spa? 

1. Position and Extent. —The kingdom of Belgium lies south 
of Holland. Its length is .about 120 miles, and its breadth about 94 
miles. Area, 11,313 square miles,—equal to that of the States of 
Maryland and Delaware. It was known in history for many cen¬ 
turies by the name of Flanders. 

2. Natural Features.— Surface. —In the eastern part are un¬ 
dulating highlands, which connect with the Vosges Mountains in 
France; elsewhere the surface is level, and on the coast low and in 
parts protected by dikes. 

3. Rivers. —The principal rivers are the Meuse and Scheldt. 
The celebrated watering-place of Spa ( spaw ) is near the frontier of 
Rhenish Prussia. 

4. The topography of Belgium is such that the country has been 
for many centuries one of the principal battle-fields in European 
wars. The last great battle in Belgium, and one of the most cele¬ 
brated in history, was that of Waterloo, fought in 1815, which re¬ 
sulted in the defeat and downfall of Napoleon I. 

5. Soil and Climate. —The soil, not naturally rich, has been 
brought, by careful cultivation, to a high degree of productiveness. 
The agriculture of Belgium is not surpassed by that of any other 
country. The climate is like that of Holland. 

6. Products. —The principal products are wheat, barley, flax, 
hops, and tobacco. Fine lace and carpets are made. Linens, 
damasks, cotton fabrics, and hosiery are largely manufactured. There 
are many machine-shops and foundries. The mineral products are 
coal, iron, lead, manganese, and zinc. In the production of coal, Bel¬ 
gium ranks next to England. There are extensive quarries of black 

Belgium.— 1. Where is Belgium ? Length and breadth ? Area? 2. What 
highlands? Surface? 3. Rivers? Of Spa? 4. What of the topography of 
Belgium? Of Waterloo? 5. Soil? Climate? 6. Products? Manufactures? 
Minerals? Horses? Of canals? 




BELGIUM. ' 305 

marble, slate, and stones for building and paving. The Belgian 
horses are celebrated both for cavalry purposes and for draught. 

As in Holland, canals are extensively used as means of internal 
communication. 

7. Population. —The population is 4,893,000,—principally French, 
Walloons, Frisians, and Germans. The people are enterprising, 
honest, and contented. In character they combine the qualities 
of the French and the Dutch; and they are generally well educated. 

8. Chief Towns. —Brussels, the capital, is a handsome city, on a 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, BRUSSELS. 

branch of the Scheldt. It contains numerous beautiful edifices. 
Ten miles south of it is the field of Waterloo. Antwerp, Ghent, and 
Louvain are towns of great historic celebrity. Bruges, Liege ( leej ), 
Namur, and Mechlin ( mek'lin) are important cities. 

9. The principal universities are the Free University of Brussels, 
the Roman Catholic university at Louvain, and the government in¬ 
stitutions at Liege and Ghent. At Ghent, in 1814, a treaty of peace 
was made between the United States and Great Britain. 

7. Population? Of the people? 8. Of Brussels? What towns of historio 
oolebrity? Important oities? 9. Universities? 














306 


EUROPE. 


10. Since the accession of King Leopold numerous railroads have 
been built, and internal improvements have made rapid progress. 

11. Government.—The government is a limited constitutional 
monarchy, and is mildly administered. Belgium is divided into nine 
provinces. The press is free, and most energetically conducted. 

12. Religion.—The prevailing religion is the Roman Catholic; 
the Archbishop of Mechlin is primate. All other forms of wor¬ 
ship are tolerated. 


FRANCE. 

Questions on Map No. 33, France. —Bound France. What 

strait between France and England? What waters does Dover Strait 
connect? What gulf south? Bay west? What mountains between 
France and Switzerland? Between France and Italy? Between 
France and Spain? Where are the C6te d’Or Mts.? Vosges Mts.? Au¬ 
vergne Mts.? Cevennes Mts. ? Mt. Cenis? Mount Blanc? Mts. of Ar 
rec ? Describe the river Seine. Loire. Gironde. Rhone. What and 
where is the capital? Where is Versailles? Lyons? Bordeaux? 
Havre? Rheims? Rouen? Cherbourg? Marseilles? Nantes? Stras¬ 
bourg? Poitiers? Creqy? Agincourt? Where is the island of Cor¬ 
sica ( see Map No. 29)? To whom does it belong? Ans. To France. 
What island south of Corsica ( see small map on No. 33) ? What east 
of Corsica? What strait between Corsica and Sardinia ? To whom 
do the islands of Sardinia and Elba belong ? Ans. To Italy. What 
chief town in Corsica ? 

1. Position and Extent. —France lies south of Belgium and the 
English Channel, and northeast of Spain. It is about 600 miles in 
length, and about 500 miles in breadth. Area, 204,000 square 
miles,—nearly equal to that of the States of Michigan, Indiana, Illi¬ 
nois, and Missouri. 

The island of Corsica, in the Mediterranean Sea, near the French 
coast, belongs to France, and is noted as the birthplace of Napo¬ 
leon I. Ajaccio [ah-yaht'cho) is the principal city of Corsica. 

10. Of internal improvements? 11. Government? Provinces, &o.? 12. 

Religion? France. —1. Where is France? Length and breadth ? Area? 
Of Corsica? 





FRANCE. 


301 


BOULEVARD SEBASTOPOL, PARIS. 


2. Natural Features. — Mountains. —In the east are the C6te 
d’Or and the Vosges [vozh) Mountains; in the centre and south are 
the mountains of Auvergne ( o-vairrl / ) and Cevennes ( say-ven'). 
These are not lofty ranges. The higher range of the Alps sepa¬ 
rates France from Italy: they abound in magnificent scenery. 
Among them is Mont Blanc, next to Mount Elburus the highest 
land in Europe. The Pyrenees separate France from Spain. 

3. Coast-line. —The coast-line on the English Channel, Bay of 
Biscay, and Mediterranean Sea exceeds 1500 miles, and has many 
spacious harbors. 

4. Rivers. —The principal rivers are the Seine [sane), flowing 
northwesterly into the English Channel; the Loire ( licahr) and Gi¬ 
ronde ( je-rond / ), flowing westerly into the Bay of Biscay; and the 
Rhone, flowing south into the Mediterranean Sea. 

5. Soil and Climate. —The soil may be divided into four re¬ 
gions, from north to south :—1st, the region of the cereals; 2d, that 


2. Mountains on the east? In the centre and south? What is said of 
them ? Of the Alps ? 3. Coast-line ? 4. Rivers ? 5. Soil ? Climate ? 



308 


EUROPE. 


of the vine; 3d, that of Indian corn; 4th, that of the olive. The 
climate is diversified, but healthy; in the south the summers are 
long, dry, and hot. 



CHURCH OF THE MADELEINE, PARIS. 


6. Products.— The products are grains of all kinds, many varie¬ 
ties of the grape, and beet-root, from which sugar is extensively made. 

Agriculture is less perfect than in Belgium and England; still, the 
yields are very great. The vineyards are numerous, and very pro¬ 
ductive. Cattle and swine are raised in great numbers. 

7. There are extensive forests. Coal, iron, lead, and alum abound. 
There are numerous mineral springs much frequented by invalids. 

The manufactures of France are second only to those of Great 
Britain, and consist principally of silks, laces, woollen and cotton 
fabrics, linen, gloves, plate-glass, rare tapestries, porcelain, leather, 
wines, and brandy. 

8. Population. —In population, France ranks second among the 
European States, being inferior only to Russia, By the last census 

6. Products? "What of agriculture? Vineyards? Cattle, <fcc. ? 7. Forests? 
Minerals? Manufactures? 8. What rank in population ? Number? Descent? 












FRANCE. 


309 



France numbered 37,383,000. The French are descended chiefly 
from the Gauls and Franks. From the latter the name France is 
derived. The French people are intelligent, gay, brave, and very 
military. 

9. The lower classes are not well educated; hut among the upper 
and middle classes science, art, and literature are as successfully 
cultivated as in any other European country. 

France contains the finest libraries in the world, and the largest 
university (the “Acad6mie universitaire,” in Paris). 

10. Chief Towns. —Paris, the capital, situated on the Seine, is 
the most splendid city in the world. It contains magnificent palaces, 
churches, hospitals, and galleries of art, and has for centuries dic¬ 
tated to the civilized world in matters of dress and fashion. Ver¬ 
sailles, the city of palaces, is twelve miles from Paris. 

11. Lyons, on 
the Rhone, is a 
beautiful city, 
noted for its 
silk manufac¬ 
ture. Bor¬ 
deaux (bor- 
</</) is famous 
for its red 
wines; Sevres 
(sey’r), for its 
exquisite chi¬ 
na. Havre, an 
important sea¬ 
port, is the 
principal de¬ 
pot of com- 
mercewith the 


CITY OF LYONS. 


United Statos. 

At Rheims, the French kings were formerly crowned. Rouen 
( roo'en ), on the Seine, is noted for its manufactures of cotton; 
( herbourg (she^burg), for its famous breakwater and its docks. 


What of the people? 9. What of classes? What of libraries, Ac.? 10. 
What of Paris? II. Lyons’ Bordeaux? Sevres? Havre? Rheims? 
Rouen? Cherbourg’ 













310 


EUROPE. 


12. Marseilles ( mar-sailz / ), in the south, Nantes ( nants ), on the 
Loire, Strasbourg, in the east, are all towns of historic note. There 
are numerous celebrated battle-fields, among which Poitiers ( poi - 
ieerz / ), Crc<jy {kres'se), and Agincourt ( ah-zhong-lcoor / ) are especially 
famous. 

13. Government. —Prance, for many centuries a kingdom under 
the rule of the Bourbons, has experienced, in the last three-quarters 
of a century, several changes of dynasty, and some fearful revolu¬ 
tions. In 1852 it became an empire, under Louis Napoleon (Napo¬ 
leon III.), a nephew of the great Napoleon Bonaparte (Napoleon I.). 
Previously to the Revolution of 1790, France contained thirty-six 
provinces, but is now, for purposes of administration, divided into 
eighty-six departments. 

14. The French army consists of more than 500,000 men, and is 
the best-equipped standing army in the world. The navy, one of the 
strongest in Europe, numbers over 500 vessels of war. There are 
numerous military schools of the highest order. Among them, the 
Polytechnic School at Paris, the Artillery School at Metz, and the 
Cavalry School at Saumur ( so-moor / ), are most noted. 

15. Religion —The prevailing worship is the Roman Catholic; 
but other creeds are tolerated and aided by the government. The 
principal Protestant Churches are the Lutheran and the Reformed 
Calvinistic. 

16. The colonial possessions of France are—in Africa, Algeria 
and Senegal, on the west coast; Bourbon and a few smaller islands, 
on the east coast; in Ilindoostan, Pondicherry, and some other towns; 
in Anam, six provinces, with Saigon, the largest city; in North 
America, Guadaloupe, Martinique, and other islands; in South Ame¬ 
rica, Cayenne; in Oceanica, the Marquesas and Society Islands, and 
New Caledonia. 


12. Marseilles ? Other towns ? 13. What of the government ? When did 

it become an empire under Napoleon III.? What of the provinces? 14. Of 
the army? Navy? Military schools, <fcc.? 15. Religion ? 16. Colonial pos¬ 

sessions in Africa? Hindoostan? Anam? North America? South America? 
Oceanica? 




Spain. — 1. Where is Spain? Length and breadth? Area? Islands? What 


SPAIN. 811 

SPAIN. 


BULL-FIGHT. 

Questions on Map No. 33, Spain.— Bound Spain. What bay 
north? Strait between Spain and Africa? What waters does the 
Strait of Gibraltar connect? Where is Cape Creux? Palos? Tra¬ 
falgar? Fiuisterre? Ortegal? What islands in the Mediterranean 
near the coast of Spain? Name the three largest. To whom do the 
Balearic Islands belong? Ans. To Spain. What mountains be¬ 
tween Spain and France? What range in the north? South ? What 
between the Cantabrian and Sierra Nevada? Describe the river Ebro. 
Guadalaviar. Guadalquivir. Guadiana. Tagus. Douro. What and 
where is the capital ? Where is Valladolid ? Barcelona? Valencia? 
Murcia? Malaga? Bilbao? Granada? Seville? Cordova? Cadiz? 
Saragossa? Vigo? Ferrol? Where is the republic of Andorra? 

1. Position and Extent. —Spain lies southeast of France. Its 
length is about 620 miles, and its breadth about 540 miles. Area, 





312 


EUROPE. 


177,000 square miles,—nearly equal to that of the State of California. 
The Balearic ( bal-e-dr'ik ) Islands, in the Mediterranean Sea, near 
the coast, belong to Spain; the principal are Minorca, Majorca, and 
Iv^a ( e-ve'sah ). Spain and Portugal form what is called “ the Pen¬ 
insula.” 

2. Natural Features.— Mountains. —The Pyrenees are a part 
of the northern boundary of Spain, separating it from France. The 
Cantabrian Mountains are a prolongation of the Pyrenees, and extend 
westward along the northern coast. The Sierra Nevada traverses 
Spain on the east and near the Mediterranean, under various names. 
The mountains <.f Castile, Toledo, and Morena [mo-ray'nah) range 
through the centre. The surface of Spain constitutes the highest 
table-land in Europe. The country abounds in picturesque scenery. 

3. Coast-line. —The coast-line extends 1370 miles, and affords 
many excellent harbors. The northern coast is rocky and precipi¬ 
tous ; the Mediterranean coast is low, except in the neighborhood of 
Gibraltar [je-brawl'ter). 

4. Rivers. —The principal rivers are the Guadalquivir ( gaw-dal- 
quiv'er), Guadiana (gwah-de-ah'nah), Tagus, and Douro ( doo'ro ), 
flowing in a southwesterly direction into the Atlantic Ocean, and the 
Ebro and Guadalaviar ( gwali-dah-lali-ve-ahr / ), flowing in a southeast¬ 
erly direction into the Mediterranean Sea. 

5. Soil and Climate. —The soil is in general fertile, but is not 
carefully cultivated: there are large tracts of waste land. The 
climate in the north is temperate, on the high lands in the centre 
exceedingly dry, and in the south hot. 

6. Products. —The productions of Spain are numerous and varied: 
—in the north flourish all the grains of the temperate zone, and in the 
south the grape, almond, olive, fig, and sugar-cane. Fine horses are 
bred,—the Andalusian stock, which is obtained from Arabia, being 
most esteemed. Merino sheep are raised in great numbers. 

7. The mines afford lead, mercury, iron, silver, copper, and rock- 
salt. Leather, wool, linen, glass, and fine steel are manufactured. 
Spain is noted for the production of excellent wines, of which Sherry 
and Malaga are the best known. 

with Portugal is it called? 2. What mountains north? Other mountains? 
Surface? 3. What of the coast-line? 4. Principal rivers flowing into the 
Atlantic? Into the Mediterranean ? 5. Soil? Climate? 6. Products? Of 

horses and sheep ? 7. Minerals? Manufactures ? For what noted ? 



SPAIN. 


313 


8. Population.— The population is 16,304,000. It is composed 
of the descendants of Celts, who formed the original population, 
of Goths from the north, Romans from Italy, Moors from Africa, a 
few Basques (basics), and some wandering Gitanos (he-tah'noce) or 
Gipsies. 



9. As a people, the Spaniards are well formed and vigorous, but 
lazy, haughty, and vindictive. Property is very unequally divided. 
The nobility are generally very rich, and the common people very 
poor. 

10. For a long period there has been but little enterprise in Spain. 
In internal improvements she is far behind the rest of western 
Europe. A marked progress, however, has been noticed within a 
few years ; railroads have been constructed, and others are projected, 
and a new spirit of enterprise is manifested. 

11. The chief national amusement is the bull-fight, in which all 

classes delight. Wild bulls are obtained for this purpose from the 
mountains._ 

8. Population? IIow compose!? 9. What of tho peoplo? 10. What of their 
enterprise? What progress? 11. Chief amusement? 

27 










12. What of Madrid ? Other cities ? 13. Of Cadiz ? Saragossa? 14. Granada 
and other towns? Eerrol ? Gibraltar? 15. Of the government? Navy? 
Army, &c. ? 


EUROPE. 


12. Chief Towns.—Madrid 7 , the capital, is situated on the Man- 
zanares (man-thaJi-nah'res), a small affluent of the Tagus. A few 
miles distant is the splendid palace of the Escurial ( es-koo^re-ahV ). 
Valladolid 7 was formerly the capital. Barcelona, Valencia, and 
Mal'aga are important cities on or near the Mediterranean. Bil¬ 
bao ( bil-bah'o) is the chief seaport on the Bay of Biscay. 

13. Ca 7 diz, in the south, is a fine city, and has a splendid light-house. 
It is the oldest city in Europe, having been founded by the Phoe¬ 
nicians 1100 years before 
Christ. Saragossa, in the 
northeast, is noted for its 
heroic defence against the 
French in 1808-09. 

14. Granada ( grah-nah 
ddh), Seville (sea'll), and 
Cor'dova are prominent in 
the history of the Moorish 
conquest, and contain 
many interesting remains 
of Arabian architecture. 
Ferrol (fer-role') is the 
chief naval station, and 
has a fine harbor. Gibral¬ 
tar, at the southernmost 
point, has long been in the 
possession of Great Britain, 
and is the strongest fortifi¬ 
cation in the world. 

15. Government. —The 
government is a limited 
monarchy. Besides a coun- 

leaning tower of san felipe at saragossa. cil to aid the king or queen, 

there is a legislature, called 
the Cor'tes, elected by such of the people as are entitled to vote. 
The navy is small, but is increasing. The army numbers 234,000, 













PORTUGAL. 315 

and there arc military schools at Madrid, Toledo, and Alcala do 
Henares ( ahl-kah-laV day en-ah'res). 

1G. Religion. —The Roman Catholic worship is established by 
law. There are fifty-nine dioceses, under nine archbishops. The 
whole number of the religious orders, including monks and nuns, 
is estimated at 150,000. 

17. Colonial Possessions. —The colonial possessions of Spain 
are—in America, the islands of Cuba and Porto Rico ; in Asia, the 
Philippine Islands; and in Africa, the Presidios on the north coast 
of Morocco, and the island of Fernando Po on the coast of Guinea. 

18. Andor'ra is a small republic on the Spanish side of the Pyre¬ 
nees, with an area of 190 square miles. Though nominally inde¬ 
pendent, it is very much under the control of Spain and France. 


PORTUGAL. 

Questions on Map No. 33, Portugal. —Bound Portugal. What 
bay on the west coast? Cape southwest? What two mountain- 
chains extend from Spain through Portugal ? What river is a small 
part of the eastern boundary near the north ? At the south ? What 
rivers flow from Spain through Portugal into the Atlantic ? What 
and where is the capital? Where is Oporto ? Coimbra ? St. Ubes? 
Elvas? Braga? 

1. Position and Extent. —Portugal lies on the Atlantic, west 
and south of Spain. It is 3G0 miles long, by 130 broad. Area, 
34,500 square miles,—about equal to that of the State of Maine. 

2. Natural Features. —The Sierra Estrella ( es-trel'yah) and 
Toledo Mountains range through Portugal from east to west. The 
interior is hilly and mountainous, with a general declivity from the 
east to the Atlantic. The coast-line is 500 miles long, and for the most 
part low. Fearful earthquakes occur. The rivers Douro and Tagus 
flow through it from east to west; the Guadiana is in the southeast. 
The soil is fertile, and the climate mild and healthy. 

3. Products. —The products are similar to those of Spain. The 

10. Religion? 17. What colonial possessions? IS. What of Andorra? 
Poutcga i».—1 • Where is Portugal? Length and breadth ? Aren? 2. Moun¬ 
tains? Surface? Coast-lino? Rivers? Soil and climato? 3. Products? 




316 


EUROPE, 


most noted is the grape, from which several varieties of wine are 
made. Of these, the principal is Port wine, so called from its being 
manufactured at Oporto. Oranges, almonds, figs, oil, salt, and cork- 
bark are the chief exports. 

4. There are rich mines of coal, lead, and fine iron. Marble of a 
superior quality is abundant. Great quantities of salt are made. 

5. Population.—The population is 3,094,000. In lineage and 
general character the Portuguese are similar to the Spaniards. 
They are indolent, and pay little attention to education. 

6. Chief Towns. —Lisbon, the capital, is situated on the Tagus, 
near its mouth; it has an excellent harbor, and is specially noted in 
the history of the Peninsular War. Oporto, next to Lisbon the chief 



CITY OF OPORTO. 


commercial city, is near the mouth of the Douro. Coimbra contains 
a university. St. Ubes is noted for its trade in salt. Elvas and 
Braga are important towns. 

7. Government. —The government is a limited monarchy, mildly 
administered. The Cortes, or national legislature, consists of two 
Houses, the Peers and the Deputies, organized like the Parliament 
of Great Britain. The system of education is controlled by a govern¬ 
ment council. 


4. Minerals? 5. Population? f>. What of Lisbon? Oporto? Coimbra? 
Other towns ? 7. Government? Education? Army and navy ? 























SWITZERLAND. 317 

The army comprises 25,000 men, and the navy consists of GO ves¬ 
sels of all kinds. 

8. Religion.—The Roman Catholic ■worship is established by law ; 
but all other religions are tolerated: there are Protestant chapels at 
Lisbon and Oporto. 

9. Colonial Possessions.—The colonial possessions of Portugal 
are the Azores, Cape Verd, and Madeira Islands, Porto Santo, 
and other small islands, on the African coast; Congo, Angola, Bcn- 
guela, Mozambique, in Africa; and a few small settlements in India 
and China. Population of the colonial possessions, 2,754,000. 


SWITZERLAND. 

Questions on Maps No. 29 and 35, Switzerland. —( Map No. 

29.) Bound Switzerland. (Map No. 35.) What mountains on the north¬ 
west? On the east? On the south? Where are the Bernese Alps? 
Where is Lake Constance? Maggiore? Geneva? Neufchatel? Zu¬ 
rich? Where is the river Rhine? Rhone? Through what lake does 
the Rhone flow? Where is the river Aar? Where are the Falls of 
the Rhine? What and where is the capital? Where is Geneva? 
Zurich? Lucerne? Basle? Lausanne? 

1. Position and Extent. —The republic of Switzerland—the-an¬ 
cient Helvetia—lies north of Italy and east of France. Its average 
length is 1G0 miles, and its average breadth 98 miles. Area, 15,250 
square miles,—about equal to that of Vermont and Connecticut. 

2. Natural Features. — Mountains .—Switzerland is the most 
mountainous country in Europe. It is traversed and surrounded by 
the Jura Mountains and by various ranges of the Alps, of which 
the Rhaetian ( re'shun ) and Pennine are the principal. The loftiest 
peaks arc Monte Rosa, Mutterhorn, and St. Gothard ( got'liart ), which 
arc from 13,000 to 15,000 feet high. 

3. There are many difficult mountain-passes. Of those the most 
notable are the Sim'plon, St. Gothard, Spliigen (sple'yhen), and Great 
St. Bernard'. The latter is in the southwest, and is famous for the 

8. Religion? 9. Colonial possessions ? Switzerland. —1. Where is Switzer¬ 
land? Length and breadth? Area? 2. What of its mountains? Loftiest 
peaks? 3. Of mountain-passes? For what is St. Bernard famous? 

2l* 




318 


EUROP 


passage of the army of Napoleon I. to the battle-field of Marengo, 
in 1800. 



4. The scenery 
of the Alps is 
highly beautiful 
and picturesque. 
Glaciers, or seas 
of ice, are formed 
in the upper 
valleys. Large 
masses of snow 
and ice occa¬ 
sionally come 
thundering 
down the moun¬ 
tain-sides, tak¬ 
ing up in their 
course rocks and 
detached limbs 
of trees, increas¬ 
ing in size and 
velocity as they 
roll, and some¬ 
times crushing 
villages and 
filling up the 
mountain-roads. 
These falling bodies of ice and snow are called avalanches. 


ALPINE SCENERY. 


5. Lakes .— Switzerland is famous for its beautiful lakes. The 
most remarkable are Lakes Geneva, Constance, Lucerne, Neufchatel 
( nush-ah-teV ), and, south of the Alps, lying partly in Northern Italy, 
Lugano ( loo-gah'no) and Maggiore ( mad-jo'ray ). 

6. Rivers .—The rivers which rise in Switzerland soon leave its 
borders. Thd Rhine has its source in the lakes of the northern and 
central parts, and flows northward. The Rhone flows through Lake 
Geneva into France. 


4. What of the scenery of the -Alps? Glaciers? What of snow and ice? 
5. Lakes? 6. Rivers? Waterfalls? 







SWITZERLAND. 


319 


The principal waterfalls are those of the Rhine at Schaffhausen 
(shqf-hdu/zen), and of the Aar (ar). The scenery around them is 
extremely romantic. 

7. Soil and Climate. — The soil is rocky and sterile in the 
mountainous parts; in the valleys it is fertile. The climate in the 
mountains is cold; in the plains and valleys it is temperate and 
delightful. 

8. Products. —The chief products are the various grains and the 
grape. Cattle are extensively raised; and 
the land is largely devoted to pasturage. 

Cheese of several varieties is exported. 

The principal minerals are iron, lead, 
copper, salt, and gypsum. There are 
numerous manufactories of cotton, linen, 
silk, watches, and jewelry. 

9. Population. — The population is 
chiefly of German descent. They num¬ 
ber 2,510,000. The Swiss are honest, 
frugal, industrious, brave, and patriotic. 

As compared with the people of the sur¬ 
rounding countries, they are well edu¬ 
cated. Many of the hunters are skilful 
nnd very adventurous in tracking the 
chamois into the mountain-fastnesses. 

They are generally excellent marksmen. 

10. Chief Towns. —Berne ( bern ), on the river Aar, is the 
capital. Geneva ( jen-e'vah ) is noted for the manufacture of watches, 
and for its educational institutions. Zurich ( zu'rik) and Lucerne 
are considerable towns, and have played an important part in 
history. 

At Basle, Berne, Geneva, and Zurich are noted universities. Lau¬ 
sanne [lo-zan') is famous on account of having been the place of re¬ 
tirement of several eminent literary men. Here Gibbon wrote the 
“Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.” 

11. Government. —The government is a federal republic, com- 

7. 9<>il? Climate? 8. Products? Minerals? Manufactures? 9. Popu¬ 
lation? What is said of them? 10. What of the capital? Of Geneva? 
Zurich and Lucerne? Where are noted universities? What of Lausunne? 
11. What of the government? Of Congress? 




320 


EUROPE 


prising twenty-two free States, called Cantons. The executive is a 
Council called the Landrath. The Congress, or Federal Assembly, con¬ 
sists of two Houses, the National Council and the Council of States. 

12. Religion.—The Protestant and Roman Catholic religions pre¬ 
vail. The Protestants (Presbyterians) predominate. 


ITALY. 



STREET IN TURIN. 


Questions on Map No. 34, Italy.— Bound Italy. "What sea on 
the east? On the south and west? Where is the Gulf of Trieste? 
Strait of Otranto? Gulf of Taranto? Strait of Messina? Bay 
of Naples? Gulf of Genoa? Island of Sicily? Sardinia? Elba? Where 
are the Ponza Islands ? The Lipari Islands ? To whom do these 
islands belong? Ans. To Italy. Where is the island of Corsica? 
To whom does it belong ? Ans. To France. What mountains in the 
north ? Northwest? Near the Gulf of Genoa ? Through the centre ? 


12. Religion? 































ITALY. 


321 


What volcano on the west coast? In the island of Sicily? What 
mountain in the island of Sardinia? Where is Lake Como? Maggiore? 
Isco? Garda? Bolsena? Celano? What river in the north flows 
into the Adriatic ? Where is the Tiber? The Arno? Where is the 
State of Sardinia ? Where are the States of the Church ? Where is 
the State of Naples? Venetia? What are the Pope’s temporal pos¬ 
sessions? Ans. A strip of territory on the Mediterranean coast, in¬ 
cluding the city of Rome, Civita Veccliia, and other towns. Where is 
the republic of San Marino? Where is Florence? Rome?. Turin? 
Genoa? Spezia? Milan? Venice? Parma? Modena? Pisa? 
Naples? Messina? Syracuse? Cagliari? 

1. Position and Extent. —Italy lies south of Switzerland, and 
is enclosed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea and its arm the 
Adriatic. It consists principally of a long, narrow peninsula, in 
shape like a boot, terminating on the south in two still narrower 
peninsular projections. It is about 700 miles long, by a varied 
breadth, being 3G0 miles broad at the north, and about 100 in the 
centre. Area, 100,500 square miles,—nearly equal to twice that of 
the State of Iowa. 

2. Natural Features. — Mountains. — The Apennines extend 
through Italy from north to south. On the northern and north¬ 
western border are the high ranges of the Alps. They bear various 
names, according to the locality: as the Maritime, Cottian, Graian, 
and Pennine Alps. Several famous passes in the Alps lead from 
Italy to Switzerland. 

3. In the southwest is the volcanic region, in which is the re¬ 
nowned Mount Vesuvius, whose eruption, a.d. 79, destroyed the 
flourishing cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii ( pom-pay'ye ). The 
same volcanic formation is represented in the island of Sicily by 
Mount Etna, and in the Lipari [lip'ali-re) Islands by Stromboli 
(strom'bo-le) and Vulcano ( vool-kah'no). 

4. Surface. —The greatest extent of level country is in the north, 
where lies the level plain of Lombardy, traversed by the river Po 
and watered by its numerous tributaries. 

5. Rivers. —The only river of considerable size in Italy is the 

Italy.— 1. Where is Italy? Lcmrth and breadth? Area? 2. The Apen¬ 
nines? High Alps? Names? 3. What of the southwest? Of the island 
of Sicily and the Lipari Islands? 4. Surface? 5. Rivers? 



322 


EUROPE. 


Po, which rises in the Cottian Alps and flows into the Adriatic. 
The Arno and Tiber flow into the Mediterranean. The latter is one 
of the most famous rivers of ancient history. 

6. Lakes. —In Northern Italy are several beautiful lakes, of which 
Garda, Como, .and Maggiore are the principal. 

7. Soil and Climate. —The soil is remarkable for its fertility, 
and the climate is salubrious and delightful. 

8. Products. —In the northern districts the vine and mulberry 
flourish; in the central, the orange, olive, and lemon ; in the south¬ 
ern, the climate of which is almost tropical, the sugar-cane, fig, date- 
palm, and other southern fruits. 

9. Population. —The population is 21,770,000. The people are 
chiefly descended from the ancient Romans. 

10. Divisions. —Italy comprises the Kingdom of Italy, the Papal 
Dominions, Yenetia {ven-e'she-ah), and the republic of San Marino. 

11. Government. —The various parts of Italy are differently 
governed. The Kingdom of Italy is a constitutional monarchy. The 
legislative power is vested in a Senate and Chamber of Deputies: 
the latter are elected by the people. Yiotor Emanuel II., formerly 
King of Sardinia, is the present sovereign; he was proclaimed king in 
1861. The Papal Dominions are governed by the Pope. Yenetia is gov¬ 
erned by a viceroy, appointed by Austria. San Marino is a republic. 

12. Religion.—The Roman Catholic religion prevails; within a 
few years toleration has gained ground in the State of Sardinia. 

13. THE KINGDOM OF ITALY includes the State of Sar¬ 
dinia, all of the States of the Church except the Papal Dominions, 
and the State of Naples. 

14. Florence, on the Arno, is the capital of the Kingdom of Italy, 
and is renowned for its libraries, colleges, and galleries of paintings 
and sculpture. 

15. The State of Sardinia includes, with the exception of Ye¬ 
netia, all of Italy lying north of the States of the Church, together 
with the island of Sardinia. Turin, the capital of Sardinia on the left 


6. Lakes? 7. Soil? Climate? 8. Products? 9. Population? 10. Divisions 
of Italy? 11. Government? Of Victor Emanuel? Government of Papal 
Dominions? Of Venetia? Of San Marino? 12. Religion? 13. Kingdom 
of Italy.— What does the kingdom of Italy include? 14. What of Florence? 
15. What does the State of Sardinia include? What of Turin? Alessandria? 
What near it ? 



ITALY. 


323 


bank of the Po, is a beautiful city. Alessandria is remarkable for its 
powerful defences. Near it is the little hamlet of Marengo, where Na¬ 
poleon I. gained a great victory over the Austrians in the year 1800. 

10. Genoa ( jen'o-ah ), on the Mediterranean, was once a celebrated 
republic. It is still a fine city. It was the birthplace of Columbus. 
Mi Kan is a city of great renown in history. It has a splendid cathe¬ 
dral. Pisa (pee'zah) is famous for its Campo Santo, or burial-place, 
and for its leaning tower, a circular structure of white marble, 188 
feet high, inclining 15 feet from the perpendicular. Leghorn and 
Lucca are important towns. 




GENOA. 


17. The city of Parma is celebrated for its beautiful picture-gallery 
and for its cheese. Modena has a ducal palace and a fine public library. 

18. The States of the Church occupy a small portion of central 
Italy. Until 18G0 they comprised a greater territory; but in that 
year Romagna ( ro-man'yah ), one of these States, was annexed to Sar¬ 
dinia. The same year, other of tho States united, and became a 
State in the Kingdom of Italy. 

16. Of Genoa? Milan? Pisa? Leghorn and Lucca? 17. City of Parma? 
Modena? 18. What of tho States of the Church? 




324 


EUROPE. 


19. The State of Naples, including the island of Sicily and the 
Lipari Islands, is the southernmost State of the Kingdom of Italy. 
The capital, Naples, is splendidly situated on the Bay of Naples. 
It is the largest of the Italian cities. The scenery around it is very 
beautiful, and the climate is delightful. Near it is the volcano of 
Vesuvius, which is frequently in a state of eruption. 

20. The island of Sicily is separated from the main land by the 
narrow Strait of Messina, on one side of which is Scylla ( siVlali ), a 
dangerous rock, and on the other Charybdis ( Jcah-rib'diss ), an eddy 
or whirlpool. Scylla and Charybdis were formerly much feared by 
mariners, but are no longer considered dangerous. 

21. Palermo, the chief city of Sicily, is on the northern coast. Mes¬ 
sina and Syracuse are important towns, and famous in history. The 
Lipari Islands are about twelve in number, and lie north of Sicily. 

22. THE PAPAL DOMINIONS, or the temporal possessions 
of the Pope, occupy a strip of territory on the west coast, including 
the city of Rome, Civita Vecchia ( che've-tah velc'ke-ah), and a few 
contiguous places. 

23. Rome, the capital of the Papal Dominions, is situated on both 
sides of the Tiber, and is one of the most celebrated cities known in 
history. It contains numerous magnificent relics of the classic period, 
when that city was mistress of the world, such as the Pantheon, the 
Colise / um, and Trajan’s Column. 

24. It has more than 350 churches; one of these, the famous Cathe¬ 
dral of St. Peter, is the largest and most imposing religious edifice in 
the world. The Vatican, the Pope’s winter palace, has a rare and 
valuable library, and a splendid gallery of art. 

25. VENETIA is an Austrian province, in the northeast part of 
Italy, on the Adriatic Sea. 

2G. Venice, the capital of Venetia, is one of the finest cities in 
Europe. It is built upon 72 small islands, united by 3G0 bridges. 
Of these bridges the Rialto is the most famous: it is a single span 
of 90 feet, 24 feet in height, and was built in 1590, of marble, at a 
cost of $500,000. Instead of streets there are canals, and people 

19. What does the State of Naples include? Of the city of Naples? What 
volcano? 20. Of the island of Sicily ? 21. Of Palermo ? Lipari Islands ? 22. 

Papal Dominions. —What of the Papal Dominions? 23. What of Rome ? 24. 
Of its churches, &c. ? 25. Venetia. —What of Venetia? 26. What is said of 
Venice? Padua? Verona? 



AUSTRIA. 


325 



27. SAN MA¬ 
RINO.— The 

republic of San 
Marino ( mah - 
re'no) is one of 
the most ancient 
States in Eu¬ 
rope. It is a 
small fortified 
town, built on a 
mountain, with 
a scanty terri¬ 
tory around it. 

Its population is 
about 800 0. 

Area, 21 square 

miles. The town was built a.d. 441, by Marinus, from whom the 
town is named. 


STREET IN VENICE. 


go about the city 
in boats called 
gondolas. 
Pad'ua is noted 
for its university 
and Verona for 
its Roman am¬ 
phitheatre. 


AUSTRIA. 

Questions on Map No. 34, Austria. —Bound Austria. What 
sea-coast? Where are the Dalmatian Islands? What mountains in 
the north and northeast? W’hat mountains west? Range southeast? 
South? What great river flows cast, and then south, through Austria 
into Turkey? What affluents on the north? On the south? In what 
province of Austria is Vienna? What is the capital of Austria? 
In what province are Prague, Carlsbad, Tbplitz, and Seidlitz ? In what 
are Brunn and Austerlitz ? Saltzburg, Lintz, and Wagram ? In what 


27. San Marino. —What is said of it? Area? Where, and by whom built? 

28 













326 


EUROPE. 



Austria. —1. Where is Austria? Of the provinces? Of Lichtenstein? 
Length and breadth ? Area? 2. What mountain-range ? Of the Alps ? Other 
mountains ? Surface ? 


* Note. —The provinces of Austria united in the Germanic Confederaticj 
are the Archduchy of Austria, Bohemia, Moravia, Carinthia, Styria, Silesia 
Tyrol, and a part of Galicia. 


islnnspruck? Venice? Ans. In Venetia, an Austrian province of Italy. 
In what province is Trieste ? Klagenfurth ? Gratz ? In what are 
Pesth, Bud.a, and Tokay? In what is Lemberg? Klausenburg? 


CHURCH OF ST. CHARLES, AND THE POLYTECHNIC SCHOOL AT VIENNA. 

1. Position and Extent. —The empire of Austria comprises a 
territory of irregular outline, north of Turkey and east of Italy, Swit¬ 
zerland, and Bavaria. It contains eighteen provinces, eight* of which 
are united with the German States in the Germanic Confederation. 
Hungary, the largest division, contains a third part of the empire. 
The small principality of Lichtenstein, formerly a German State, has 
recently been attached to Austria. The average length of the empire 
is 620 miles, and its average breadth 350 miles. Area, 258,000 square 
miles,—a little exceeding that of the State of Texas. 

2. Natural Features.— The Carpathian Mountains are in the 









AUSTRIA. 


327 


northeast, and range in a south and southeasterly direction until 
they reach the south border, where they form a part of the southern 
boundary, and then pass into Turkey. The Carnic and Dinaric 
Alps are on the west and southwest. The Sudetic, Bohemian, and 
Moravian Mountains are in the northwest, and enclose the province 
of Bohemia. The surface slopes from the north and south towards 
the centre and the east. 

3. Coast-line .—Austria has a coast-line of about 500 miles on the 
Adriatic Sea. There are extensive marshes. The largest lake is 
Lake Balaton, near the centre. 

4. Rivers .—The principal river is the Danube; it rises in the 
Black Forest of Germany, flows through Austria 600 miles, first from 
west to east, then southerly, and empties into the Black Sea. Its 
principal affluents are, on the north, the Theiss ( tice ), and on the 
south, the Drave and Save. 

5. Soil and Climate .—In the north, and on the plains of Hun¬ 
gary, the soil is well adapted to grazing; further south, and in the 
river-valleys, it is extremely fertile. In the north the climate is cold, 
and snow sometimes falls as early as October; but in the south the 
climate is so mild that the most delicate grapes may be cultivated in 
the open air. 

6. Products. —Nearly, all kinds of grains and garden vegetables 
are produced. The vine is successfully cultivated. The pasturage 
in the Hungarian plains is excellent, and great numbers of cattle are 
raised. Horses are carefully bred. Gold, silver, copper, tin, lead, 
iron, and quicksilver abound. The ruby, emerald, amethyst, opal, 
topaz, and other precious stones are found. The manufactures are 
extensive. 

7. Population. —The population is 37,000,000. The people re¬ 
present four nationalities,—the German, Italian, Sclavonian, and . 
Hungarian or Magyar (mod-yor / ). The Hungarians, long oppressed 
by Austria, have, since the accession of Ferdinand II., in 1526, made 
several unsuccessful attempts to achieve their independence. 

8. Chief Towns. —Vienna, the capital, on the Danube, is one 
of the finest cities in Europe. Trieste ( tre-cst '), on the Adriatic Sea, 

3. Of the const-lino? Marshes? Lake? 4. What is said of the Danube and its 
affluents? 5. Soil? Climate? 6. Products? Pasturage, Ao. ? Minerals? Precious 
st"iies? Manufactures? 7. Population? What nationalities? 8. What of Vi¬ 
enna? Trieste? Innspruck? Prague? Brunn? Buda and Pesth? Tokay? 


328 


EUROPE. 


is the principal seaport. Innspruck ( ins'proo'k ) is the chief city of 
the Tyrol (tir'rol ); Prague, of Bohemia; Brunn, of Moravia. Buda 
and Pesth (pest), situated opposite each other on the Danube, and 
connected by a fine suspension bridge, are considered one city, and 
regarded as the capital of Hungary. Tokay, on the Theiss, is famous 
for its rare wines. 

9. Lintz and Saltzburg are the seats of important manufactures. 
Carlsbad, Toplitz ( tep'lits ), and Seidlitz (side'lits) are celebrated for 
their baths and mineral springs. 

10. Austria has been the theatre of numerous wars in modern 
times. The most famous battles are those of Prague, won by 
Frederick the Great, and of Austerlitz and Wagram, where Napo¬ 
leon I. was victorious over the Russians and Austrians. Cracow 
was taken by Austria in 1847. Near Cracow is a vast tumulus, 120 
feet high, raised to the memory of Kosciusko ( kos-se-us'Jco ). 

11. Government. —Austria is a constitutional monarchy, with a 
Parliament consisting of a House of Lords and a House of Deputies. 
Education, which has been long neglected, is now improving. There 
are ten universities, and numerous colleges and schools, all under 
ecclesiastical censorship. 

12. Religion.— The prevailing religion is the Roman Catholic; 
but all sects are tolerated. There are many members of the Greek 
Church in Austria, especially in the provinces where the Sclavonic race 
preponderates. 


OTTOMAN EMPIRE. 

The Ottoman Empire includes Turkey in Europe, Turkey in 
Asia, and dependencies in Arabia and Africa. The dependencies 
are the Hedjaz, in Arabia; and Egypt, Nubia, Kordofan, Tripoli, 
Tunis, and Fezzan, in Africa. With the exception of the Danubian 
and Montenegro provinces, all parts of Turkey, both in Europe and 
Asia, are the immediate possessions of the Sultan, being governed 
by pashas appointed directly by him. 

9. Lintz and Saltzburg? Other towns? 10. What further of Austria? Of 
Cracow? 11. Government? 12. Relision ? Ottoman Empire. —What does it 

inc'ude ? Name the dependencies. What about the Danubian provinces, <fcc. ? 
How do they acknowledge the Sultan’s authority ? Area in Europe and Asia? 
In Africa? Total? Equal to what? 




TURKEY. 


329 


The dependencies acknowledge the authority of the Sultan, and 
many of them pay tribute. They select their own officers, civil and 
military; but all appointments are subject to the Sultan’s approval. 
Area in Europe and Asia, estimated at 872,000 square miles, in Africa 
at 955,000 square miles; a total of 1,827,000 square miles,—nearly 
equal to that of one-half of Europe. 

TURKEY IN EUROPE. 

Questions on Map No. 34, Turkey in Europe. —Bound Turkey 
in Europe. Name the five seas around Turkey, beginning with the 
Black. What strait between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmora? 
Between Marmora and Archipelago Sea? Between the Mediterra¬ 
nean and Adriatic? Where is the Gulf of Salonica? Gulf of Arta? 
What mountains in the north? What range extends south into 
Greece? Where are the Dinaric Alps? Where is Mt. Olympus? 
What great river in the north flows into the Black Sea? Name two 
affluents on the north. Two on the south. What rivers flow into 
the Archipelago Sea? Into the Gulf of Salonica? What and whero 
is the capital ? Where is Adrianople? Salonica? Yanina? Sophia? 
Ivruschovatz? Belgrade? Bucharest? Varna? Serajevo? 

1. Position and Extent. —Turkey in Europe lies south of Russia 
and Austria. Its average length is about 480 miles, its average 
breadth about 390 miles. Area, 203,500 square miles,—about equal 
to that of the States of New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West 
Virginia, and North Carolina. Wallachia ( wuli-la\/ke-ah ), Mol¬ 
davia, and Servia, called the Danubian Provinces, and Montenegro 
( mon-tay-nay'gro ), on the west, are tributary to Turkey, but are 
governed by their own princes. 

2. Natural Features.— Mountains .—The surface of Turkey is 
greatly diversified. The Carpathian Mountains are on the north. 
The Iron Gate Mountains extend from the Carpathian south until they 
meet the Balkan range. The Balkan ranges from east to west through 
the entire breadth of Turkey. The Pindus Mountains extend from 
the Balkan range southward into Greece. Near this range are the 

Turkey in Europe.—1. Whero is it? Length and breadth? Area? What 
of provinces? 2. Mountains? Of the Carpathians? Famous peaks? Of the 
Dinaric Alps ? 


28 * 



330 


EUROPE. 


famous peaks of Olympus, Ossa and Pelion; the former is 9700 feet 
high. The Dinaric Alps are a part of the ■western boundary, and 
range parallel with the shores of the Adriatic. 

3. Seas. —Except in the north, and at the narrow southern 
boundary, Turkey is surrounded by great seas. The Black, Mar¬ 
mora, and Archipelago are on the east, and the Mediterranean and 
Adriatic on the west. 

4. Coast-line. —The coast-line is extensive, and affords many beau¬ 
tiful bays and harbors. 

5. Rivers, &c. —The chief river is the Danube; it flows in an 
easterly direction through Turkey into the Black Sea. Its chief afflu¬ 
ents in Turkey are the Pruth, Sereth ( say-reC ), Morava, and Save 
(sahv ). The Maritza, in the south, flows into the Archipelago. 

The Bos / phorus connects the waters of the Black Sea with those 
of the Sea of Marmora, and the Dardanelles ( dar-dah-nelz / ) unites 
the Marmora with the Archipelago Sea. 

6. Soil and Climate. —The soil of European Turkey is for the 
most part very fertile, but it is tilled in the most primitive method. 
The climate is subject to sudden and violent changes: a variation 
of thirty degrees in a single night is not uncommon. In the south 
the summers are hot and the winters cool and temperate; in the 
north the winters are severe. 

7. Products. —In the south and centre, Indian corn, rice, cotton, 
rye, barley, and tropical fruits are raised; in the north, the principal 
product is wheat. Various kinds of wine are made. The minerals 
are numerous, but little attention is paid to mining. Excellent 
horses and cattle are raised; and the Wallachian sheep are noted 
for their long, straight wool. 

8. Population. —The population is 15,730,000, composed of Os- 
manlis, or Turks proper, Greeks, Armenians, Gipsies, and Jews. 
The first comprise half the population. The wealthy among the 
Turks are very indolent and effeminate. They spend a great portion 
of their time in luxurious public baths. Women are treated as infe¬ 
rior beings, and are required to veil their faces in the streets. Every 
Turk who is rich enough has, usually, several wives, who are kept in 
a separate apartment called the harem. 

3. What of seas ? 4. Coast-line ? 5. Rivers ? The Bosphorus ? Dardanelles ? 
6. Soil? Climate? 7. Products? Minerals, &c. ? 8. Population? What of 
them ? How do they spend their time ? What of the women ? 



TURKEY. 


331 


Chief Towns.— Constantinople, the capital, is situated on the 
Bosphorus. This city in ancient times was called Byzantium. The 
name was changed to Constantinople by the Emperor Constantine, 
who enlarged and beautified the city, and made it the capital of the 
Eastern division of the Roman Empire. Constantinople for many 
centuries played a conspicuous part in the history of the world. Its 



CITY OF CONSTANTINOPLE. 


harbor, called the Golden Horn, is one of the finest in the world. The 
public buildings are numerous, among which the mosques, or temples 
of Mohammedan worship, are the principal; of these, that of St. So¬ 
phia, once a Christian church, is very magnificent. 

10. Adriano / ple and Salonica {sah-lo-ne'kah) are important towns. 
The former was long the residence of the Sultans of Turkey. Bel¬ 
grade, on the Danube, near the mouth of the Save, is noted for the 
many bloody sieges it has sustained. 

11. Government. —The government of Turkey is a despotism. The 


9. Whftt of Constantinople? Of the publio buildings? 10. Adrianople and 
S&lonioa? Belgrade? 11. Government? 




332 


EUROPE. 



12. What of the Sultan? What is his prime minister called? How is 
Turkey divided? 


will of the monarch, who is called the Sultan, is law; and in former 
times he ruled with the most arbitrary cruelty. Within the present 
century, however, the humane usages of the more enlightened States 
of Europe have largely influenced the administration of affairs in 
Turkey. 

12. The Sultan is usually called the Grand Seignior ( seen'yur ). 
His prime minister is called the Grand Vizier; all officers are selected 
from the Sultan’s favorites, and are often very inefficient. Turkey 
is divided into sixteen provinces, called pashalics. 


MOHAMMEDAN MOSQUE—ST. SOPHIA. 








GREECE. 333 

13. The Court is called the Ottoman Porte, and also the Sublime 
Porte. The great cabinet council is named the Divan [de-van'). 

14. Religion. —The religion is the Mohammedan; all other sects 
are tolerated. Greek, Armenian, and other Christian churches are 
numerous; and there are Jews in many quarters. 


GREECE. 

$ 

Questions on Map No. 34, Greece. —Bound Greece. What 
gulf extends from the Mediterranean east nearly through Greece? 
Where is the Gulf of Egina? Napoli? Laconia? Keron? Arta? 
Where is the island of Negropont? Where are the Northern Spor- 
ades Isles? The Cyclades? Ionian Isles? Name the three largest 
of the Ionian Isles. What famous mountain-peak in Greece? What 
is the northern part of Greece called ? Ans. Hellas. The southern ? 
Ans. The Morea. What gulf nearly separates these two parts? What 
isthmus connects them? What and where is the capital? Where is 
Livadia? Napoli? Thebes? Lepanto? Tripolizza? Navarino? 
Corinth ? Thermopyla) ? 

1. Position and Extent. —The kingdom of Greece comprises 
part of the irregular peninsula south of Turkey. It is the most re¬ 
nowned of classic countries. Its greatest length is about 250 miles, 
and its greatest breadth 180 miles. Area, 19,250 square miles,—about 
equal to that of the States of Vermont and New Hampshire. 

2. Natural Features. — Mountains .—Greece is a mountainous 
country. The Pindus Mountains extend from Turkey into Greece. 
Among the peaks the most famous is Parnassus, 8000 feet high, over¬ 
looking the site of the ancient oracle-shrine at Delphi. The scenery 
of Greece is unequalled for variety and beauty. 

3. Coast-line .—Except on the north, Greece is surrounded by 
the Archipelago and the Mediterranean Sea; and the coast is greatly 
indented. The Gulfs of Egina and Nnp'oli are on the east, and the 


13 . What of the court ? 1 l. Religion ? Greece.— 1. Where is Greece? What 
is it? Lon-'thand breadth? Area? 2. What of the Pindus Mts.? Famous 
peak? Scenery? 3. What of the coast-line? Of gulfs? Of tho Gulf of 
Lepanto? 




334 


EUROPE. 



THE ACROPOLIS AT ATHENS. 

Gulfs of Arta and Lepanto on the west; the latter penetrates Greece 
almost to the eastern coast, nearly separating it into two parts. 

4. Islands. —There are numerous islands off the coast. The prin¬ 
cipal on the east are Negropont, and the groups in the Archipelago 
Sea, the largest of which are the Cyclades ( sik'lah-deez ) and Sporades 
[spor'ah-deez ); on the west are the Ionian Islands. The latter have 
but lately been annexed to the kingdom of Greece. 

5. Rivers .—The rivers are short and unimportant. 

6. Soil and Climate .—The soil in the valleys is fertile. The 
climate is generally temperate, but varies with the elevation. 

7. Products. —Wheat, barley, rice, cotton, and tobacco are pro¬ 
duced, and in the south figs, olives, dates, and oranges. Goats, sheep, 
cattle, and horses are raised. Bees are extensively reared, and honey 
is one of the staple products. Little has yet been done to develop 
the mineral wealth of the country. 

8. Population. —The population is 1,331,000. The people are 
descendants of the ancient Greek race, intermingled with Albanians, 
Turks, Sclavonians, Jews, Italians, Germans, and others. The 


4. Islands? What of the Ionian Islands ? 5. Rivers? 6. Soil? Climate? 
7. Products? What of bees? Minerals? 8. Population? Who are they? 
Number of Greeks proper ? What of civilization ? 



GREECE. 


335 


number of Greeks proper is about 800,000; the Albanians number 
about 200,000. In the cities there is an increasing civilization. The 
greater part of the people are engaged in farming and tending flocks. 

9. Chief Towns. —Ath / ens, the capital, is situated on a plain 
near the Gulf of Egina. It was in ancieut times one of the most 
renowned cities in the world, and was the centre of Grecian learning 
and culture. On the Acrop'olis, or citadel of Athens, is the Par¬ 
thenon, or Temple of Minerva, still splendid in its ruins; there are 
many other interesting relics of the classic period. Missolonghi 
(mis-so-Iong'ghe) and Patras' are towns of special note in the modern 
war of Greek independence. 

10. The principal towns in the north are Livadia ( liv-ah-de'ah ), 
Thebes ( theebz ), and Lepanto. The latter is noted as the scene of a 
great naval victory obtained over the Turks, in 1571, by Don John 
of Austria. Tripolizza [tre-po-lit'sah) and Navarino are the chief 
towns in the south. At the latter place a celebrated engagement 
took place, in 1827, when the naval power of Turkey was destroyed 
by the allied fleets of Russia, France, and Great Britain. 

Hermop'olis, on tho island of Syra ( se'rali ), and Zante and Corfu 
(kor-Joo') in the Ionian Islands, are important towns. 

11. Government. —The government is a constitutional monarchy, 
mildly administered. Tho people have good opportunities of educa¬ 
tion. At Athens is an excellent university ; and in the kingdom 
there are eleven gymnasia or colleges, and a hundred common schools. 

12. Greece, long enslaved by Turkey, threw off the yoke in 1821, 
and, after a desperate struggle, achieved her independence in 1830. 
During this contest, sympathizing societies were formed in many 
countries. Lord Byron went to aid the Greeks with his sword and 
fortune; and, in America, Webster, Clay, Everett, and others, 
pleaded their cause. 

13. The Greek army contains 9000 men; the navy has but few 
ships. The commercial marine is extensive and increasing. 

14. Religion. —The prevailing worship in Greece is that of the 
Greek Church. 


9. Of tho city of Athens ? What of tho Acropolis ? Of other towns of spe- 
cial note, Ac./ 10 Towns in tho north? In tho south? What of Tripolizza 
nn«l Navarino? Other towns? 11. Government? Education? 12. What 
further of Greece? What societies ? Who rendered them service ? 13. Army, 

navy, Ac. ? 14. Religion ? 



336 


EUROPE, 


THE ISLANDS OF EUROPE. 



MOUNT ETNA, SICILY. 


1. The islands of Europe are numerous, and some are of great 
importance from their extent, population, commerce, and political 
power. Great Britain, Ireland, Sicily, and Sardinia are the largest. 

2. Arctic Islands.—Nova Zernbla and Spitzbergen, both in the 
Arctic Ocean, belong to Russia. They are ice-bound for the greater 
part of the year, and are uninhabited. The latter is farther north 
than any other portion of the Eastern Hemisphere. 

3. Norway Islands.—The Lofft/den Islands form a group on the 
west coast of Norway. Their coasts are bold, indented, and preci¬ 
pitous. The population is about 4000. Near the southern end of 
the group, between two of the islands, is the famous whirlpool 
called the Maelstrom, the terrors of which were formerly greatly 
exaggerated. 

4. Senjenoe [sen 1 'yen-o-eli), Ringvadsoe ( ring'vad-so-eh ), Tromsoe 

The Islands op Europe.--!. What of the islands of Europe ? The largest ? 
2. Arctic Islands? What of Spitzbergen? 3. Norway Islands? What near 
the southern end of the Loffodens ? 4. What north of the Loffodens ? Of 
Hammerfest? 











TIIE ISLANDS OF EUROPE. 


337 


[trom'so-eh), Mag'eroe, Qualoe, and others, are islands lying north 
of the Loffoden group. Hammerfest, on Qualoe, is the northernmost 
town in the world; it has a considerable commerce in fish and oil. 

5. Danish Islands. —The Faroe Islands lie northwest of Scot¬ 
land. They arc 22 in number; 17 are inhabited. Most of them 
rise precipitously 2000 feet above the sea. Barley is the only grain 
that ripens. The population is about 9000. Thorshavn ( tors-houm'). 
on the island of Stromoe, is the only town. 

6. The Archipelago of Denmark includes various islands, of which 
Zealand and Funen are the largest. Among the smaller are Laa- 
land, Moen, and Samsoe. They form a compact group, and are 
covered with fertile meadow-lands. 

7. Zealand is separated from Sweden by the Sound. Copenhagen, 
the capital of Denmark, is on this island. Bornholm, in the, Baltic 
Sea, lies east of Zealand. Sylt, Fanoe, and others are small islands 
off the west coast of Denmark. 

8. Baltic Islands. —Oeland and Gothland, the largest of the Bal¬ 
tic Islands, belong to Sweden; the Aland Islands, Dago, and Oesel 
( d'sel) belong to Russia; Rugen belongs to Prussia. 

9. British Islands. —The Shetland Islands lie north of Scotland. 
They number more than 100; only 27 are inhabited. Mainland is 
the largest. Lerwick is the capital. Population of the Shetlands, 
31,000. 

10. The Orkney Islands are a compact group, off the northern 
coast of Scotland. There are 67 islands; 28 are inhabited. Po¬ 
mona is the largest. Kirkwall is the capital. Population of the 
Orkneys, 31,000. 

11. The Hebrides, or Western Isles, lie off the northwest coast of 
Scotland. They are 300 in number; 81 are inhabited. Skye is the 
largest. Staffa contains the renowned Cave of Fingal. Population 
of the Hebrides, 115,000. 

12. The Islo of Man, in the Irish Sea, has institutions peculiar to 
itself. The Manx language, derived from the Celtic, is still in use; 


5. Dnnish Islands? Surfaco? Products? Town? 6. The Archipelago of 
Denmark? 7. Of Zealand? Of the capital of Denmark? Of Bornholm? 
Islands on tho westooast? 8. Baltio Islands ? Of Aland and others? Rugen ? 
U. British Islands? Of the Shetlands? 10. Orkneys? 11. Hebrides? What 
of Staffa ? 12. Isle of Man ? 

29 




338 EUROPE. 

but all the inhabitants speak English. Castleton is the principal 
town. Population of the Isle of Man, 52,000. 

13. Anglesea Island lies north of Wales, from which it is sepa¬ 
rated by Menai Strait. Population, 51,000. 

14. The Isle of Wight is a beautiful island, separated from Eng¬ 
land by a narrow channel. It is a favorite resort of invalids. Po¬ 
pulation, 50,000. 

15. The Scilly Islands, west of Land’s End, number 200; but they 
are so rocky that only six are inhabited. Population, 2600. 

16. The Channel Islands are on the coast of France. The princi¬ 
pal are Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney ( awVder-ne ), and Sark. They 
are the remnants of the territory held by the English in France 
during the Middle Ages. Population, 91,000. 

IT. Mediterranean Islands.—The Balearic Islands are in the 
western part of the Mediterranean Sea, and belong to Spain. The 
principal are Majorca, Minorca, and Ivi<ja. PaPma, on the island of 
Majorca, is the capital. Population of the Balearic Islands, 232,000. 
The other Spanish islands are Leon, on which stands the city of Ca- 


ISLAND SCENERY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. 


13. Anglesea? 14. Isle of Wight? 15. Scilly Islands ? 16. Channel Islands? 
What of them? 17. The Balearic Islands? Other Spanish islands? 



THE ISLANDS OF EUROPE. 339 

diz, and the Columbretes ( ko-loom-brai/tes ), near the east coast of 
Spain. 

18. Tho island of Sardinia, west of Italy, belongs to the kingdom 
of Italy. Cagliari ( kahl'yah-re ), in the south, is the chief town. 
Population of Sardinia, 553,000. 

19. Corsica belongs to France, and is principally noted as the birth¬ 
place of Napoleon I. It lies north of Sardinia, from which it is sepa¬ 
rated by the Strait of Bonifacio. Ajaccio is the capital. Population 
of the island, 230,000. Elba, a small island between Corsica and 
Italy, was the place to which Napoleon I. was exiled in 1814. It 
belongs to the kingdom of Italy. Population, 19,000. 

20. Sicily, a large island at the extremity of the Italian peninsula, 
is separated from the mainland by the Straits of Messina; it is a part 
of the State of Naples, and belongs to the kingdom of Italy. Pa¬ 
lermo and Messina, on the north coast, and Syracuse, on the east 
coast, arc the principal cities. Mount Etna, an active volcano, is 
10,874 feet high. Population of Sicily, 2,042,000. 

21. The Lipari Islands lie north of Sicily. They are a volcanic 
group, and supply nearly all the pumice-stone used in the world. 
Stromboli, “ the lighthouse of the Mediterranean/’ is a volcano in 
constant eruption. Population of the Lipari Islands, 22,000. 

22. Malta and Gozzo are two small islands, between Sicily and 
Africa: they belong to Great Britain. The former is strongly forti¬ 
fied, and is an element of British influence in the Mediterranean. 
Population of Malta, 100,000. Valetta is the chief town. Popula¬ 
tion of Gozzo, 16,000. 

23. Greek Islands.—The Ionian Islands lie on the west coast of 
Turkey and Greece. Corfu, Cephalonia, and Zante are the principal 
islands. They formerly constituted a republic, dependent on Great 
Britain, and Corfu, the seat of government, was garrisoned by 
British troops; but in the year 1863 the British government ceded 
the islands to Greece. Population, 220,000. 

24. The Grecian Archipelago contains several groups and islands 
famous in classic history. Neg / ropont, the largest, is on the east 
coast of Greece. Population, 20,000. The Sporades and Cyclades 

18. Of Sardinia? 19. Of Corsica? 20. Of Sicily? Cities? Of Mount 
Etna? 21. Lipari Islands? Of Stromboli? 22. Malta and Gozzo ? 23. The 

Ionian Islands? 24. Grecian Arehipolago? Negropont? Sporades and 
Cyclades ? 



340 


EUROPE 



CITY OF CORFU. 


are island clusters, belonging, according to their situation, to Greece 
or to Turkey. 

25. Candia, formerly called Crete, is a large island south of Greece. 
It belongs to Turkey. Population, 158,000. The climate is delight¬ 
ful. Candia is the chief town. 


25. Of Candia? 

























ASIA. 


341 


ASIA. 



Asiatic scene. seas between Asia and Europe? 


What sea and isthmus between Asia and Africa? 

Divisions.— Where is Siberia? Turkey? Arabia? Persia? Af¬ 
ghanistan? Beloochistan? Turkestan? India? Chinese Empire? 
China? Through what country does the Arctic circle pass ? Through 
what countries does the tropic of Cancer pass? 

Seas, Bays, &c .—Where is the Open Polar Sea of the Russians? 
Whore is Behring Strait? Sea of Kamtschatka? Ochotsk? Jesso? 
•Japan? Strait of Corea? Yellow Sea? Pechelee Gulf? Eastern 
: * 0 .? China Sea? Gulf of Tonquin? Gulf of Siam? Strait of Ma- 

29* 


342 


ASIA. 


lacca? Gulf of Martaban? Bay of Bengal? Gulf of Manaar? 
Malabar Coast? Arabian Sea? Gulf of Cambay? Gulf of Cutch? 
Gulf of Oman? Strait of Ormus? Persian Gulf? Strait of Bab-el- 
Mandeb? Red Sea? Isthmus of Suez ? Mediterranean Sea? Archi¬ 
pelago? Marmora? Black? Caspian? Aral? Kara? Gulf of 
Obe? Yenisei Gulf? "Where is Lake Baikal? Balkash? Where 
is the Bead Sea ? 

Capes.—Where is East Cape ? St. Thadeus? Lopatka? Cam¬ 
bodia? Romania? Negrais? Comorin? Isolette ? Cevero ? 
Chalagskoi ? 

Islands.—Where are the Aleutian Islands ? Kuriles ? Where is 
Saghalien? Jesso? Niphon? Sikoke ? Kiusiu? Formosa? Where 
are the Loo-Choos ? Where is IIong-Kong ? Hainan ? Where are 
the Andamans? Nicobars? Where is Ceylon? Where are the 
Corallines? New Siberia Islands? In what direction from Asia is 
Oceanica? In what general direction from Asia do the following 
groups lie? Magellans Archipelago, Ladrones, Carolines, Philip¬ 
pines, Celebes, Borneo, and Sumatra. To what division do they 
belong? Ans. To Oceanica. 

Mountains.—Where are the Little and Great Altai Mountains ? 
Taurus? Elborz? Hindoo-Koosh? Himalaya? Nan-ling? Kuen- 
lun? Pe-ling? Beloor ? Thian-Shan? Khang-Kai? Ghaut? Cau¬ 
casus? Ural? Where is Mt. Sinai? 

Rivers.—Describe the Ural. Obe. Yenisei. Lena. Amoor. Ho- 
ang-Ho. Yang-tse-Kiang. Cambodia. Irrawaddy. Brahmaputra. 
Ganges. Indus. Euphrates. Tigris. 

Peninsulas.—Where is the peninsula of Kamtschatka? Corea? 
Malacca ? Madras ? Arabia ? 

Deserts.—Where is the Great Desert of Cobi? Sandy Desert? 
Khiva? Great Salt Desert? The Thur? Akhaf? 

1. Position and Extent.—Asia ( ay'she-ah ), thelargestof the grand 
divisions of the earth, lies south of the Arctic Ocean, and east of Eu¬ 
rope and Africa. It extends from east to west about 6000 miles, and 
from north to south 5400 miles. Area, 15,196,000 square miles. 

2. Natural Features.— Mountains .—There are in Asia three 

Asia.—1. Where is Asia? Length and breadth ? Area? 2. How many moun¬ 
tain-chains? What of the Altai range? Loftiest summit? What range 
further south ? What does it include ? Highest peak ? What of the Kuen- 
lun and Pe-ling? 



ASIA. 


343 


great mountain-chains. The Altai ( ahl-ti / ) range extends from the 
northern boundary of Turkestan, in a northeasterly direction, to 
Behring Strait, a distance of 4000 miles. Its loftiest summit, Mount 
Byelucha ( be-el-oo'kali ), is 11,000 feet high. Further south is avast 
range extending from the shores of the Mediterranean Sea on the 
west, under various names, to the Pacific Ocean on the east, a distance 
of more than 5000 miles. This range includes the Taurus, Elborz, 
Ilindoo-Koosh, Himalayas, and the Nan-ling; the loftiest peak is 
Mt. Everest, in the Himalayas, which is 5J miles high, and is the 
highest land in the world. 

The Kuen-lun ( kwen-lun / ) and the Pe-ling form another range, 
extending through the Chinese Empire from west to east a distance 
of more than 3000 miles. 

3. There are also cross-ranges, the principal of which are the 
Beloor, Thian-Shan [te-an'slum'), and Khang-Kai ( kang-ki '). The 
volcanoes of Ilochow and Peshan are in the Beloor Mountains, and 
are remarkable for their great distance from the sea. The Ural 
Mountains are between Europe and Asia. 

4. Surface .—The surface of Asia comprises many central plains 
of great extent, bounded by mountain-ranges; the country north and 
east of the Caspian Sea, and around the Sea of Aral, with an area 
of 180,000 square miles, forms a vast depressed region, 80 feet below 
the level of the sea. 

The table-land of Persia has an area of 170,000 square miles, and 
a mean elevation of 5000 feet; that of Thibet ( tib'et ) comprises 
600,000 square miles, and has a mean height of 11,000 feet. In Si¬ 
beria and Tartary are immense steppes (steps) or plains. 

The sandy deserts of Asia extend from Yemen, in Arabia, to Mant- 
chooria, in the Chinese Empire, a distance of 4500 miles, and form 
the rainless region of Asia: here rain seldom falls, and rivers and 
springs are almost unknown. 

5. Coast-line. —The coast-line is very irregular, especially on the 
south and east, where there are numerous peninsulas, bays, and gulfs. 
The principal peninsulas are Arabia, Madras, Malacca, Corea, and 
Kaintsehatka. The islands of Asia are described elsewhere. 

3. Cross-ranges ? Volcanoes. for what remarkable? 4. What of the sur¬ 
face ? Of the country around the Caspian and Aral Seas ? Of the table-land 
of Persia? Thibet? What in Siberia and Tartury ? Of deserts? 6. Coast¬ 
line? Peninsulas? Islands? 



344 


ASIA. 


6. Seas and Lakes .—The Black, Mediterranean, and Red Seas 
are on the western boundary of Asia. The Caspian Sea is 750 miles 
long and 230 broad The Sea of Aral is 240 miles long, and the 
Dead Sea 45 miles long. The principal lake is Baikal ( bi'kalil ), in 
Siberia, about twice as large as Lake Erie. 

7. Rivers .—The rivers of Asia include some of the largest in 
the world; the most noted are the Obe (o / 5e), Yenisei, Lena, and 
Amoor of Siberia, Hoang-ho and Yang-tse-Kiang of China, Cam¬ 
bodia, Irrawaddy, Brahmaputra ( brah-mah-poo'trah ), Ganges, and 
Indus of India, and Euphrates (yu-fray'teez) and Tigris of Turkey. 

8. Soil and Climate .—On account of the vast extent of Asia, 
ranging from the Arctic Ocean to the equator, there are great varie¬ 
ties of soil and climate. Above the 56th degree of north latitude, 
the cold is intense in winter; in the south the heat is oppressive. 

The soil is as varied as the climate. The table-lands are gene¬ 
rally fertile, consisting in part of rich pastures, intermingled with 



BANYAN-TREE. 


6. Seas? What of the Caspian, Aral, and Dead Seas? What lake? 7. 
Rivers? Of Siberia? China? India? Others? 8: What of the climate and 
soil ? Table-lands, &c. ? 







asia. 345 

wood-land; while large portions of Arabia, Persia, and Tartary are 
deserts. 

9. Products. —The products are barley, oats, wheat, and other 
grains, tea, cotton, sugar, cinnamon, indigo, opium, and pepper. 

10. The vegetation, especially in the south, is extremely luxu¬ 
riant. The banyan-tree is noted for sending its branches downward 
into the earth, each of which takes root and becomes a new trunk. 
The teak-tree and gutta-percha abound in Farther India, and the 
sago-palm flourishes in the southern districts. 

11. Minerals. —Asia is especially rich in mineral products. It 
has been noted from the earliest times for its precious stones, among 
them the largest diamonds and rubies. Pearls are found in the 
Persian Gulf and on the coast of Ceylon. 

12. Animals. —Asia has a great variety of animals, some of which 
are not found elsewhere. The 
principal wild beasts are the 
elephant, rhinoceros, bear, 
buffalo, lion, tiger, and leo¬ 
pard ; of domestic animals 
the chief are the camel, 
horse, goat, sheep, hog, and 
dog. 

There are numerous rep¬ 
tiles,—pythons of immense 
size, the cobra di capello and 
other venomous serpents, the 
helmeted and the double- 
crested crocodile. In the 
north are the sable, ermine, beaver, and other fur-bearing animals. 

13. The variety of birds is very great. The plumage of many is 
gorgeous. The cassowary, nearly as large as the ostrich, and cranes 
as tall as a man, are found. From Southern Asia originally came 
the peacock and other domestic fowls. 

14. Divisions. —The principal divisions of Asia are Siberia, Asia¬ 
tic Turkey, Arabia, Persia, Afghanistan, Beloochistan, Turkestan, 


9. Produots? 10. What of vegetation? 11. Of minerals and precious 
stones? 12. Animals? Reptiles? What animals in the north? 13. Birds? 
14. Divisions of Asia? 








346 asia. 

Ilindoostan and Farther India, the Chinese Empire, the Islands of 
Japan, and the other Asiatic islands. 

15. Population.—The principal races are the Caucasian and 
Mongolian. Of the Malay race, those found in the peninsula of 
Malacca are all that belong properly to Asia. 

The population is estimated at 629,329,000. Of these the Cau¬ 
casian race numbers 200,000,000, the Mongolian 400,000,000, and 
the Malay 28,000,000. A few Papuan negroes inhabit the Anda¬ 
man Islands. 

16. Government.—Most of the governments of Asia are despotic 
monarchies. In Arabia, Turkestan, and other portions, the wander¬ 
ing tribes are governed by the native chiefs. 

17. Religion.—The principal creeds are Brahminism, Buddhism, 
and Mohammedanism. Brahminism prevails chiefly in Hindoostan, 
Buddhism in China, Japan, and Farther India. Mohammedanism is 
the religion of Turkey, Arabia, Persia, and some other countries. 
In Thibet, the Grand Lama is worshipped, in the belief that he is 
God in human form. 


JERUSALEM BESIEGED. 


15. What of the population? How many? Races? Of Papuan negroes? 
16. Of government? 17. Religion? Of Mohammedanism, <fcc.? 








ASIATIC RUSSIA. 


347 


18. Historical Statement. —The name Asia was originally that 
of a province of Asia Minor, which was that part of Turkey at 
present included between the Black and Mediterranean Seas. The 
name was afterwards extended to the whole of Asia Minor, and from 
thence gradually to the entire grand division. 

19. Asia occupies a prominent place in ancient history. In it 
was the terrestrial paradise. It was the scene of Noah’s deliver¬ 
ance from the deluge, and the residence of Abraham, Isaac, and 
Jacob. Nearly all the great events recorded in the Scriptures were 
enacted here. In ancient times, four great empires flourished in 
Asia,—the Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, and Macedonian. 

20. The propagation of the Mohammedan creed greatly changed 
the character of Western Asia. In the eleventh century, the Tartars 
began a series of conquests, which extended even into Europe; and 
after them the Turks gained supreme sway in the West. 

21. The Chinese claim for themselves a very remote origin, and 
an early civilization. The discoveries of the Portuguese in the 
fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, and the enterprise of the Dutch 
and British since, have brought Eastern Asia into commercial re¬ 
lations with the civilized world. 


ASIATIC RUSSIA. 

Asiatic Russia comprises Siberia, and the provinces south of the 
Caucasus Mountains. It extends from the Ural Mountains to the 
Pacific Ocean. 


SIBERIA. 

Questions on Map No. 36, Siberia.— Bound Siberia. What 
sea on the northwest ? What gulfs ? Cape north ? Group of islands ? 
What strait between Siberia and North America? What waters 
does Behring Strait connect? What seas east? What peninsula? 
What long island ? What rivers are a part of the southern boundary? 
What mountains? What seas in the southwest? Where are the 


18. What did Asia originally comprise? What afterwards? 10. What 
further is said of Asia? What four empires flourished in Asia? 20. What 
of (ho Mohammednn creed? 21. What of China, Ac.? Asiatic Russia.— 
What docs Asiatic Russia comprise ? Extent? 




848 


ASIA. 


Ural Mts. ? What three large rivers flow into the Arctic Ocean ? 
Describe the Amoor. Where is Irkoutsk ? Nertchinsk ? Yakoutsk? 
Ochotsk? Tobolsk? Tomsk? Omsk? Tiumen? Kiachta? Nicolaieff? 
Alexandrowsk ? Constantinowsk ? Port St. Vladimir ? 

1 Position and Extent. —Siberia comprises that portion of the 
Russian Empire which lies north of Turkestan and the Chinese 
Empire. Its length is about 3600 miles, and its breadth about 2000 
miles. Area, 5,249,000 square miles,—equal to one-half of that of 
Africa. 

2. In consequence of the expanding policy of Russia, accessions 
to this territory are frequently made, the latest being the region 
about the mouth of the Amoor, and the Kirguis ( kir-gheez') country 
in the southwest. 

3. Natural Features. — Mountains. —The Altai Mountains ex¬ 
tend along the southern boundary of Siberia from 75° east longitude 
to 105°, and then diverge in a northeastern direction to Behring 
Strait, a distance of more than 4000 miles: they are known in the 
west as the Little Altai, and in the east as the Great Altai. Mount 
Byelucha, 11,000 feet high, is the highest peak. This range forms 
a great water-shed for all the rivers in Siberia that flow north into 
the Arctic Ocean. The Ural Mountains, in the west, separate Siberia 
from Russia. The Aldan Mountains are in the east. 

4. Coast-line. —The coast-line on the north is irregular, and 
greatly indented. The eligible ports are all on the east. There are 
numerous islands near the coast; but they are mostly cold and barren. 

5. Seas. —The Caspian Sea and Sea of Aral are in the southwest; 
the Seas of Kamtschatka, Ochotsk ( o-kotsk'), Jesso ( yes / so ), and 
Japan are on the east. 

6. Lakes and Rivers. — The principal lakes are Baikal and 
Balkash, both in the south. The principal rivers flowing north into 
the Arctic Ocean are the Obe, Yenisei (yen-e-say'e), and Lena. They 
are each more than 2000 miles long, but near their mouths are so 
choked with ice as to be useless for ^navigation. The Amoor, also 


Siberia.— 1 . Where is Siberia? Length and breadth? Area? 2. What is 
said of accessions of territory ? 3. Of the Altai Mountains? Names? What 
of Mount Byelucha? What further of the Altai Range? Of the Ural Mts. ? 
Aldan Mts. ? 4. Coast-line, <fcc. ? Islands ? 5. Seas ? 6. Lakes ? Rivers ? 
Of the Amoor? Ural ? 



ASIATIC RUSSIA. 


^49 


more than 2000 miles in length, forms a portion of the southern 
boundary of Siberia, and is a fine navigable river. The Ural River 
empties into the Caspian Sea in the west. 

7. Surface .—The surface is chiefly a vast inclined plane, sloping 
from the Altai Mountains on the south to the Arctic Ocean on the north. 

8. Soil and Climate .—The soil is sterile; the climate is ex¬ 
tremely rigorous,—intensely cold during the long winter, and often 
very hot during the short summer. 

9. Products. —Gold and silver are obtained on the eastern slope 
of the Ural Mountains, and at the head-waters of the Yenisei River; 
salt is abundant on the banks of the Tobol and Ishim Rivers ; jasper 
and porphyry are found in the Altai Range; lapis lazuli near Lake 
Baikal; and diamonds in the Ural Mountains. 

The fisheries are important; the trade in cattle is extensive; 
valuable furs are obtained, and form an important article of com¬ 
merce : of these, the Siberian sable is chiefly prized. 

There are manufactories of Russia leather, iron, cotton, and woollen, 
and establishments for cutting, polishing, and engraving precious 
stones. 

10. Population. —Three-fourths of the people are Russians,— 
emigrants or exiles. In European Russia all grades of crime are 
punished by transportation to Siberia. There are also various native 
tribes. The population of Asiatic Russia is estimated at 8,329,000. 

11. Chief Towns. —The chief towns in the east are Irkoutsk 
( ir-kootsk / ), Nertchinsk', Yakoutsk', and Ochotsk; and in the west 
Tobolsk'', Tomsk, Omsk, and Tiumen ( te-oo-men r ). Tomsk is the 
great thoroughfare to the northern and eastern parts. 

12. Kiachta ( ke-ak'iah) in the southern part of Siberia, and Mai- 
matchin ( mi-mah-chin') adjoining it .irt China, are the places ap¬ 
pointed by the Russian and Chinese governments where lawful traffic 
may be carried on between the two countries. Nicolaieff (ne ko-li-ef'), 
near the mouth of the Amoor, is a new and important town. Alex- 
androwsk and Constantinowsk are new towns on the east coast. 

There are few good roads: travelling is chiefly by the river com¬ 
munications. Steamboats ply on the Amoor. 

7. Surface? 8. Soil ami climate? 9. Products? Fisheries, Ac.? Furs? Manu¬ 
factories? 10. Population? 1 1 . Chief towns in the east? West? What of 
Tomsk? 12. Kiuehta and Maimatchin? Nioolaieff and other towns ? What 
travelling facilities ? 

30 



350 


ASIA. 


13 Government and Religion. —There are two governors-gene- 
ral in Siberia: one has jurisdiction east of 105 degrees E. longitude, 
the other west of that line. They are appointed by the emperor, and 
have command of all troops in their departments, but are required to 
render a strict account of their doings. The government, like that 
of Russia, is an absolute despotism. The religion is nominally that 
of the Greek Church. 

14. THE CAUCASUS, OR CAUCASIAN RUSSIA.—This 

comprises the territory on both sides of the Caucasus Mountains. 

15. The Asiatic portion forms an inclined plane sloping from the 
mountains toward the south. The climate is healthy, but hot in sum¬ 
mer. The Kur (lcoor) River traverses this region from northwest to 
southeast. The Caucasus Mountains contain copper, lead, iron, sul¬ 
phur, and coal. 

16. The principal races are the Circassian and Georgian ; the 
former inhabit the northern and the latter the southern side of the 
mountains. The men are renowned for their splendid physical 
forms, and the women for their beauty. Tiflis, on the Kur, is the 
capital of Georgia. 


TURKEY IN ASIA. 

Questions on Map No. 38, Turkey in Asia. —Bound Turkey 
in Asia. What four seas north and west? What lake in the east? 
Where is the island of Cyprus ? Rhodes ? What range of moun¬ 
tains in Turkey? Where is Mt. Olympus? Mt. Ida? Mt. Lebanon? 
What desert? Where is Aeia Minor? Armenia? Mesopotamia? 
Syria ? Hedjaz ? (The Hedjaz, although a part of Arabia, is under 
the government of Turkey.) What two rivers flow southeast? What 
two into the Black Sea? Where is the Jordan? Into what sea does 
it flow? Where is Smyrna? Trebisond? Erzeroum ? Bagdad? 
Where are the ruins of Babylon? Of Nineveh? Where is Aleppo? 
Antioch? Acre? (Map No. 37.) Beyrout? Naplouse? Joppa? 
Jerusalem? Gaza? Damascus? Bethlehem? Nazareth? Beer- 

13. "What of the governors? How appointed, &c. ? Religion? 14. Cau¬ 
casus. —What does it comprise ? 15. Surface? Climate? Rivers? Mine¬ 

rals? 16. Race? What of the Circassians? Capital? 





1. Position and Extent.— Turkey in Asia comprises that portion 
of the Ottoman Empire lying east of the Archipelago and the Medi¬ 
terranean Sea, and south of the Black Sea and Caucasian Russia. 
Its greatest length is about 1200 miles, and its greatest breadth 
about 450 miles. Area, 669,000 square miles,—equal to that of 
Mexico. 

2. Natural Features. —Mount ains .—The Taurus Mountains 
range through Turkey from west to east, and form a part of the vast 
mountain-chain that extends through Asia to the shores of the Pacific. 
Mt. Olympus, Mt. Ida, and Mt. Ararat arc famous peaks. The 
mountains of Lebanon lie parallel with the eastern shore of the 
Mediterranean Sea. 

3. Seas and Lakes .—The Black Sea is in the north. The Sea 
of Mar'mora, tho Archipelago, and the Mediterranean Seas, are in the 


TURKEY IN ASIA. 351 

sheba? Mt. Hermon? Mt. Carmel? Mt. Pisgah? Mt. of Olives ? 
Sea of Galilee ? 


CITY OF BEYROUT. 


Tuiikky in Asia. —1. Where is Turkey in Asia? Length and breadth? 
Area? 2. Mountains ? Famous peaks ? Other mountains ? 3. Seas? Lakes? 





352 


ASIA. 


west, and the Dead Sea is in the southwest. There are numerous 
lakes: the largest, Lake Van, is in the east. 

4. Rivers .—The principal rivers are the Euphrates and Tigris, 
flowing into the Persian Gulf, and the Kiz'il Ir'inak, Sakharia, and 
Meniere. 

5. Surface .—The surface consists principally of elevated pla¬ 
teaus. The mountain-slopes afford fine pasturage; hut the plains 
are generally barren for want of irrigation. 

6. The coast of the Mediterranean Sea from the eastern part of 
Greece to the western boundary of Egypt is called the Levant'. 

7. Soil and Climate .—The soil is generally fertile, the climate 
is cool and moist. 

8. Products.—The chief products are the usual grains, coffee, 
tobacco, cotton, silk, wool, olive-oil, dye-stuffs, and various delicious 
fruits. Carpets and leather of fine quality are manufactured. 

9. Population. —The population is about 16,000,000. It consists 
of Turks, Greeks, Armenians, Jews, Tartars, Arabs, Koords, and 
other Eastern tribes. 

10. Government. —The provinces are governed by pashas, ap¬ 
pointed by the Sultan; but they frequently revolt and assert a tem¬ 
porary independence. 

11. Divisions. —Turkey in Asia includes the provinces of Asia 
Minor, Armenia, Mesopotamia, and Syria. The Hedjaz' of Arabia, 
a long strip of territory on the Red Sea, is also under the govern¬ 
ment of Turkey. 

12. Religion. —The greater part of the people are Mohammedans; 
there are many Greek and Armenian Christians, and a few Roman 
Catholics and Jews. 

13. ASIA MINOR occupies a large portion of Turkey in Asia. 
It is a mountainous district, traversed by the Taurus range, and 
containing Mounts Ida and Olympus. 

14. Smyrna is celebrated as the probable birthplace of Homer. It 
is the principal port of Turkey in Asia, and has an extensive trade 
both by sea and land. In many of the cities of Asia Minor are re¬ 
mains of theatres, temples, and other objects of Grecian art. 

4. Rivers? 5. Surface? Of the mountain-slopes ? Plains? 6. Of the Levant? 
7. Soil and climate ? 8. Products? 9. Population? 10. Government ? 11. 

Divisions ? 12. Religion? 13. Asia Minor. —Where is it ? 14. What is said 

of Smyrna? Trebisond? Other towns in Asia Minor? 




TURKEY IN ASIA. 


353 



Trebisond is the chief seat of commerce on the Black Sea. It is 
an old and interesting town. Brusa, Kutaya ( koo-ti'yah ), and An 
gora are important towns in the interior. 

15. ARMENIA, near the centre of Turkey in Asia, was for a 
long time independent, hut is now in part a Turkish paslialic and 
in part a Russian province. 

1G. Erzeroum ( erz-room'), the capital, is situated on u lofty table¬ 
land. In 1859 it was almost entirely destroyed by an earthquake. 
Van, a strongly fortified town, is situated about two miles from 
Lake Van. 

IT. The Armenians are Christians whose tenets differ slightly 
from those of the Greek Church. They are scattered all over Turkey 
and Russia, and are generally traders or money-dealers. 

18. MESOPOTAMIA is an extended plain between the Eu¬ 
phrates and the Tigris. Hence its name, which means between the 
rivers. It is famous in early Scripture history, and was once 


ANCIENT BABYLON. 

15. Atimfma.—W here is it, and what is said of it ? lfi. Chief towns ? 17. hr 
ligion of the Armenians? 18. Mesopotamia? Where is it? For what farnoub? 

30* 



354 


ASIA. 


luxuriant, civilized, and wealthy; it is now the pasture-ground of 
flocks and herds, tended by roving tribes. 

19. Bagdad, formerly the capital of the Empire of the Caliphs, 
and one of the most renowned cities of the East, is greatly reduced 
in size and splendor. 

The other chief towns are Diarbekir [de-ar-bay-keei'') and Mo / sul. 
The ruins of Babylon are much visited by travellers. The ruins of 
Nineveh are on the left bank of the Tigris, not far below Mosul. 

20. Babylon was one of the most famous cities of antiquity. 
There was displayed the miraculous power vested in the prophet 
Daniel; there, for a short period, Alexander the Great reigned in 
unrivalled splendor, and there, also, he died. 

21. SYRIA lies at the eastern extremity of the Mediterranean 
Sea, and north of Arabia. 

In the north, parallel with the coast, is the mountain-range of 
Lebanon; in the south, the range is broken into detached peaks, 
such as Mounts Tabor, Carmel, Gilboa, Pisgah, and others. The 
Mediterranean Sea is on the west. The population, consisting prin 
cipally of Turks and Jews, numbers about 2,000,000. 



ANCIENT SIDON. 


19. Of Bagdad? Other towns? What ruins? 20. What of Babylon? 21 
Syria.— Where is it? What mountains? Peaks? Population? 









TURKEY IN ASIA. 


355 


22. The chief towns are Damascus, the capital, and the oldest city 
in the world, Aleppo, Acre, Antioch, Beyrout {bay'root), Naplouse 
( nali-plooce / ), Sidon, Joppa, Jerusalem, and Gaza. Aleppo was 
destroyed by an earthquake in 1822. At Acre, Napoleon I. was 
defeated by Sir Sidney Smith in 1799. At Beyrout an Arabic news¬ 
paper is published. 

23. The inhabitants are chiefly Mohammedans. The Druzes and 
Maronites, peculiar tribes, dwell in Mount Lebanon. In Jerusalem 
arc many Jews and Christians. 

24. PALESTINE, the southern part of Syria, is the most in¬ 
teresting country in the world. It is the principal theatre of the 
great events recorded in the Old and New Testaments. It was first 
called Canaan, and afterwards Judea, and is now generally known 
as the Holy Land. 



DEAD SEA. 


25. The capital, Jerusalem, lies about 33 miles east of the Medi¬ 
terranean Sea. In it stood the great Temple; in it, also, our Saviour 
was condemned, previous to his crucifixion on Mount Calvafy. 

26. When Christianity became, under Constantine, the religion 

12 . Chief towns? What occurred at Acre? What of Beyrout? 2.1. Reli¬ 
gion? 24. What of Palestine? 25. Of .Jerusalem? 2d. What historical 
statement is given about Christianity in tho Roman Empire ? 




356 


ASIA. 


of the Roman Empire, the Empress Helena, his mother, built a 
church on the spot where the sepulchre of Christ was said to have 
stood. In the eleventh century, Christian Europe began the Cru¬ 
sades, to wrest the Holy Land from the Turks. 

27. Mount Hermon, in the north, is associated with the division 
of the promised land among the twelve tribes; Mount Carmel, on the 
coast, with the triumph of the prophet Elijah over the priests of 
Baal; the Dead Sea, in the south, with God’s vengeance on the 
cities of the plain; the Sea of Galilee, the river Jordan, Jerusalem, 
Bethlehem, Nazareth, Samaria, and many other localities, with the 
life and ministry of Christ. Jerusalem has been taken and pillaged 
seventeen times,—the most noted overthrow being that by the Ro¬ 
mans under Titus, a.d. 70. 


ARABIA. 

Questions on Map No. 33, Arabia. —Bound Arabia. Where is 
the Persian Gulf? Gulf of Oman? What strait connects these gulfs? 
Where is the Gulf of Aden ? Red Sea ? What strait connects these 
waters? Where is the Syrian Desert ? What two large deserts south? 
Where is the Isthmus of Suez? Where are the Sham mar Mts.? 
Menakin Mts.? Mt. Saber? Akhdar Mts.? Mt. Sinai? Mt. Tor? 
Where is the province of Yemen? Hadramaut? Oman? Lahsa? 
Nedsjed? Hedjaz? Where is the city of Mecca? Medina? Sana? 
Muscat? Aden? Makallah? El Deraia? Mocha? Where are 
the ruins of Petra? 

1. Position and Extent.— Arabia is a great peninsula in the 
southwestern part of Asia. Its length is about 1400 miles, and its 
average breadth about 800 miles. Area, about 1,200,000 square 
miles,—nearly equal to one-third of that of Europe. 

2. Natural Features. —The interior is principally a sandy desert, 
containing some low mountain-ranges, and in many parts bare and 
rocky hills. The cultivated tracts are chiefly in the provinces of 
Yem'en and Oman. Arabia has few permanent streams; the tor- 

27. What of Mt. Hermon? Mt. Carmel? The Dead Sea? Sea of Gali¬ 
lee, <fcc. ? Jerusalem? Arabia. —1. Where is Arabia? Length and breadth ? 
Area? 2. What of the interior ? Cultivated tracts ? Streams? Coast-line? 




ARABIA. 


357 


rents formed by the rains are soon absorbed in the sand. The coast¬ 
line, on the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Persian Gulf, is extensive. 

3. Climate .—Lying chiefly in the rainless region of Asia, the 
climate is dry, and subject to extreme heat in summer. 

4. Products. —The chief products in the cultivated provinces are 
durrah (a species of millet), wheat, rice, barley, dates, and fruits 
of various kinds, cotton and sugar, various gums, of which gum Ar¬ 
abic is the principal, and coffee, the best of which is that exported 
from Mocha. Pearls are found in the Persian Gulf. The camel 
and dromedary are used on the caravan routes. Arabian horses 
are famous for fleetness and endurance. 

5. Population. —The population of Arabia consists of various 
Semitic tribes, who are famous for their hospitality. The wild 
Arabs, or Bedouins ( bed'oo-inz ), lead a roving life, and inhabit the 
deserts. The entire population is about 8,000,000. 

6. Divisions. —Arabia comprises the provinces of Yemen, Hadra- 
maut ( hah-drah-mowt / ), and Oman, in the south; Lahsa and Nedsjed 
(ned'jed), near the centre; and Iledjaz, on the Red Sea. 

7. Chief Towns. —The chief towns are Mecca, the birthplace 
of Mohammed, and Medina (me-de'nah), to which he made his cele¬ 
brated flight, called the Ileji'ra, and where he was buried. These 
cities arc both near the Red Sea. Sana, in Yemen, is an important 
city. 

8. Muscat is the capital of Oman. The Sultan of Oman, better 
known as the Imam of Muscat, is an important and prosperous ruler, 
who has gained an extensive portion of the southeastern coast, and 
considerable possessions in Africa. Mecca and Muscat are said to be 
the hottest places in the world. Aden, on the Gulf of Aden, belongs 
to Great Britain, and is one of the stations on the overland route to 
India. It is a free port. Mocha ( mo'kah ) is well known for its coffee. 
Petra is noted for its deserted edifices and tombs cut out of the solid 
rock. 

9. Government. —The different parts of Arabia are under sepa¬ 
rate governments. The Sheriff of Mecca, and the Sultans of Oman 
and Yemen, are the most important chiefs. The Bedouins are under 
patriarchal rule. The province of Iledjaz is ruled by Turkey. 

.3. Climate? 4. Products? What of coffee? Penrls? Of the camel, <fre.? 
5. Population ? Number? 6. Divisions? 7. Chief towns ? 8. What of Mus¬ 
cat ? Aden? Mocha? Potra? 9. Government? 




358 


ASIA. 



10. Travelling in Arabia is difficult and dangerous. The deserts 

can be tra¬ 
versed only by 
means of cara¬ 
vans. Each 
caravan must 
be in sufficient 
force to pro¬ 
tect itself 
from the as¬ 
saults of the 
Bedouins, or 
be prepared 
to buy its way 
through their 
territory. 

11. Reli¬ 
gion. — The 
religion of 
Arabia is 
chiefly Mo¬ 
hammedan. 

It was here that in the beginning of the seventh century Mohammed 
proclaimed his creed, which has since spread over vast regions of 
Africa, Asia, and Turkey in Europe. 

12. About a century since, the Wahabis ( waw-haw'beez), a sect of 
Mohammedan reformers, overran a large portion of Arabia, but were 
finally conquered by Mehemet Ali, Pasha of Egypt, in the year 1818. 


GROUP OF ARABS. 


PERSIA. 

Questions on Map No. 38, Persia. —Bound Persia. What sea 
north? Gulfs south? What lake in the northwest? What range 
of mountains north? What rivers flow into the Caspian Sea? Into 
the Persian Gulf? What two deserts east? Where and what is the 

10. What of travelling in Arabia? 11. Religion? 12. What of the Wa¬ 
habis ? 














PERSIA. 359 

capital? Where is Ispahan? Tabreez ? Kermanshah? Kerman ? 
Shiraz? Reshd? Bushire? Meshid? 

1. Position and Extent. —Persia lies east of Turkey in Asia, and 
north of the Persian Gulf. Its greatest length is about 1000 miles, 
and its average breadth about 600 miles. Area, about 470,000 square 
miles,—about equal to that of France, Switzerland, and Austria. 

2. Natural Features. — Mountains .—The Elborz Mountains, on 
the north, are the most important. The surface consists principally 
of a plateau, elevated about 3000 feet, and surrounded on all sides 
except on the east by mountain-ranges. 

3. Seas and Lakes .—The Caspian Sea is on the north: its sur¬ 
face is 84 feet below the level of the ocean. There are numerous 
salt lakes: most of them are small. Lake Urumiyah ( oo-roo-me'yah ), 
in the west, is the largest. 

4. Rivers .—There is scarcely a navigable stream in Persia. The 
Euphrates and Tigris, flowing from Turkey, unite and form the 
Shat-el-Arab River on the southwest boundary. The Kizil Ouzen 
( oo-zen') and Attruck Rivers flow into the Caspian«Sea. The few 
streams in the interior seem to be absorbed in the sands. 

5. Soil and Climate. — The soil on the sandy shores of the 
Persian Gulf and on the desert table-lands is barren; on the coasts 
of the Caspian Sea are dense forests; in other parts are fertile 
plains and valleys. The climate, in general, is very cold in winter 
and intensely hot in summer: on the shores of the Persian Gulf the 
thermometer reaches 125 degrees in the shade. 

6. Products. —Wheat and barley are produced in the upper, and 
rice, cotton, indigo, sugar, tobacco, opium, and various tropical fruits 
in the lower, plains. Sheep and goats are raised. The hqj*ses are 
famous for speed and strength. Camels are numerous, and are much 
used in caravan transportation. 

7. Minerals .—The turquoise,a valuable gem, is found; also iron, 
lead, copper, and antimony. Naphtha and marble abound. The 
marble is so translucent that it supplies the place of window-glass. 

8. Manufactures. —Silk and cotton fabrics, shawls, carpets, drug¬ 
gets, swords, and cutlery are manufactured. 

Pf.rsia. —1. Where is Persia? Length and breadth ? Area? 2. Mountains? 
Surface? 3. Seas ? Lakes? 4. Of rivers? Interior streams ? 5. Soil? Climate? 
0. Products ? Animals? 7. Minerals? Of marble? £. Manufactures? 



360 


ASIA. 


9. There are no good roads in Persia. Merchandise is trans¬ 
ported to and from the interior by caravan trains. 

10. Chief Towns.— Teheran, in the north, is the capital. The 
other chief towns are Ispahan, Tabreez, Kerman, and Shiraz ( she - 
rahz / ). The ruins of ancient Persep / olis, about 40 miles northeast 
of Shiraz, are of great interest to the traveller. Hamadan', the 
ancient Ecbatana, was the residence of the early Persian kings. 
Shiraz has a delightful climate. Reshd is the chief port of the Cas¬ 
pian Sea, and Bushire ( boo-sheer') that of the Persian Gulf. 

11. Population. —Persia has a mixed population, consisting of 

Parsees, descend¬ 
ants of the an¬ 
cient Persians, 
Tartars, Geor¬ 
gians, Arme¬ 
nians, and Arabs. 
These live in 
towns, and are 
called Taujiks 
( taw-jeelcs / ). The 
Eliyauts, com¬ 
prising Koords, 
Turkomans, and 
Mongols, lead a 
wandering life, 
and are addicted 
to robbery. The 
entire population 
is estimated at 
9,000,000. 

12. Government. —Persia is governed by an absolute monarch, 
called the Shah. His ministers are the Grand Vizier, or Secretary 
of War, and the Ameer, or Secretary of the Treasury. 

13. Religion. —The prevailing religion is Mohammedan. There 
are also many Parsees, Guebres, or fire-worshippers. These people 


9. Of roads? 10. What of Teheran? Other towns? Ruins? Of Hama- 
dan ? Shiraz, Reshd, and Bushire? 11. Of the population? What others? 
How many? 12. Government? 13. Of religion? 



GROUP OF PERSIANS. 






AFGHANISTAN. 361 

do not bury their dead, but expose the bodies to be devoured by birds 
and beasts. 

14. Historical Statement. —Persia has played a prominent part 
in history. No nation of antiquity underwent greater changes. The 
Persian Empire under Cyrus, in the sixth century before Christ, was 
extensive and powerful. Xerxes, a later monarch, attempted the 
subjugation of Greece, but failed, and thenceforward the empire 
began to decline. It was conquered by Alexander the Great in the 
fourth century b.c. After many changes, it was overrun by Moham¬ 
medan armies. Timour the Tartar desolated it in the fourteenth 
century. In later times Shah Abbas the Great and Nadir Shah 
were noted rulers. 


AFGHANISTAN. 

Questions on Map No. 38, Afghanistan. —Bound Afghanistan. 
Has it any sea-coast? What mountains north? East? Lake south¬ 
west? Three principal rivers? Desert southwest ? Where and what 
is the capital? Where is Candahar? Herat? Barnian? 

1. Position and Extent. —Afghanistan 7 lies east of Persia. 
Area, 300,000 square miles,—equal to that of Norway and Sweden. 
It was formerly, with Beloochistan 7 , the eastern division of Persia. 

2. Natural Features. — In the north are the Ilindoo-Koosh 
Mountains. The greater part of the country is rocky and desert. 
There arc several well-watered and fertile valleys. There are no 
large rivers; the principal are the Ilelmund, Cabul 7 , and Khash. 

The climate is varied, and presents great extremes of tempera¬ 
ture. At Candahar the thermometer in summer frequently rises to 
110 degrees in the shade. The winters are intensely cold. 

3. Products. —The principal products are rice, cotton, sugar, 
barley, wheat, and other grains. The assafcetida plant grows on the 
hills of Herat. Cabul produces the finest apricots, peaches, and 


I t. Historical statement? Of Xerxes? Of Alexander the Great, and others? 
Afghanistan. — 1 . Where is Afghanistan ? Area? What formerly ? 2. Moun¬ 
tains? Surface? Kivcrs? Climate? 3. Products? Assafoetida plant? 
Fruits? Manufactures? 


31 





362 


ASIA. 


melons in the world. Carpets, shawls, and silk goods are manu- 
factured to a limited extent. 

4. Chief Towns. —Cabul is the capital. The chief towns are 
Herat 7 and Candahar 7 . Bamian is noted for its gigantic statues. 

5. Population. —The population consists chiefly of the Afghan 
race, but comprises likewise Beloochees, Persians, Hindoos, and 
others. The people number about 4,000,000. 

6. Government. —The country formerly constituted a single mon¬ 
archy, but is now divided into three chieftainships, Cabul, Canda- 
har, and Herat, united in a confederacy. The Afghans are a warlike 
people; their army displayed great bravery in the war with the 
English, in 1839-42. 

7. Religion. —The Afghans are chiefly Mohammedans. 


BELOOCHISTAN. 



TRAVELLING IN THE DESERT. 


Questions on Map No. 38, Be- 
loochistan. — Bound Beloochistan. 
What gulf southwest? Desert north¬ 
west ? South ? What rivers flow into 
the Arabian Sea ? Where and what 
is the capital? Where is Sarawan? 
Gundava? Beyla? Kedje? Bunpore? 
Angaran ? 

1. Position and Extent. —Beloo¬ 
chistan lies south of Afghanistan, 
and between it and the Arabian Sea. 
Estimated area, 150,000 square miles, 
—more than three times that of the 
State of North Carolina. 

2. Natural Features.—In sur¬ 
face and scenery it is like Afghan¬ 
istan. It is principally mountainous: 


4. Capital? Chief towns? Of Bamian? 5. Population? 6. Government? 
Of tho Afghans? 7. Religion? Beloochistan.— 1. Where is Beloochistan? 
Area ? 2 Surface, <fcc. ? Of the valleys ? Rivers ? Desert ? 




TURKESTAN. 


363 


even the valleys are elevated, some of them being 5000 or 0000 feet 
above the sea. The rivers are few and small. The Dusteo is supposed 
to be 400 miles long, but is often without water. In the northwest 
is the desert of Seistan ( sace-tahn'). 

3. Soil and Climate .—In general, the soil is not fertile. In 
some portions it is not even well suited for pasturage. The climate 
is varied, cold in the higher parts, and exceedingly hot in the lower. 

4. Products. —In the valleys rice, indigo, cotton, sugar, and to¬ 
bacco are raised; on the higher lands, wheat, barley, and other 
grains. In the desert of Mekran, the date is found. Fish are abun¬ 
dant on the coast, and constitute the chief food of the people. The 
dromedary and camel arc used as beasts of burden. The manu¬ 
factures are unimportant. 

5. Chief Towns. —Kelat' is the capital; the other chief towns are 
Gundava, Beyla ( bay'lali ), Kedje ( ked'jeh ), Bunpore, Sarawan, and 
Angaran; Sonmeanee ( son-may-ah'ne ) is the chief seaport. 

0. Population. — The inhabitants, consisting of two principal 
branches, the Beloochees and the Brahooes, number 1,500,000. The 
former are the most numerous. Both classes are addicted to robbery 
and rapine. 

7. Government.—Beloochistan is nominally governed by the 
Khan of Kelat; the other chiefs pay him tribute, and furnish men 
in time of war. 

8. Religion. —The greater part of the inhabitants are Moham¬ 
medans. 


TURKESTAN. 

Questions on Map No. 38, Turkestan.— Bound Turkestan. 
What sea north ? West? What bay in the Caspian Sea? What two 
rivers flow into the Sea of Aral ? What river is a part of the north¬ 
east boundary? What desert east of Aral? Between Aral and 
Caspian Seas? What mountains east? Southeast? Where is 
Bokhara? Khokan? Koondooz? Khiva? Samarcand? 

3. Soil? Climate? 4. Products? What of the desert of Mekran ? Offish? 
Camel? Manufactures? 5. Capital? Chief towns? Seaport? 6. Population? 
7. Government? 8. Religion? 





364 


ASIA. 


1. Position and Extent. —Turkestan lies east of the Caspian 
Sea, and south of Siberia. Area, 640,000 square miles,—nearly 
equal to that of Mexico. 

2. Natural Features. — Mountains .—In the east are the Beloor 
Mountains, and in the south the Hindoo-Koosh. The Caspian Sea is 
on the western boundary, and the Sea of Aral on the northern. The 
surface of these seas is depressed 84 feet below the level of the ocean. 

3. Rivers, &c. —The Amoo and Sihon Rivers flow in a north¬ 
westerly direction through Turkestan, and empty into the Sea of Aral. 
Between the Amoo River and the Caspian Sea lies the Desert of Khiva 
( ke'vah ), and southeast of the Sea of Aral the Desert of Kizilkoom. 
Except on the banks of the rivers, the soil is sandy and barren. Rice 
and the principal grains are produced. Cattle, horses, and camels 
abound. Gold is found in the sands of the Amoo and Sihon. 

4. Population. —The population is estimated at about 6,500,000. 
The Usbeks ( ooz'beks ) are the ruling race; the other inhabitants are 
called Taujiks. Slavery exists in all the provinces. The principal 
provinces are Bokhara, Khiva, Koondooz, Khokan, and Turcomania. 

5. Chief Towns. —Turkestan has no capital. The chief towns 
are Bokhara, Khiva, Khokan, Koondooz, and Samarcand. 

Bokhara is noted for its numerous mosques; Samarcand, for its 
beautiful situation. The latter city is a great slave-market. 

6. Government and Religion. —The provinces, called khanates, 
are governed by despotic khans, and are independent of each other. 

The prevailing religion is Mohammedan, of the strictest type. 
The city of Bokhara is the chief seat of religious learning; its 
colleges are numerously attended. 


INDIA. 

Questions on Map No. 39, India.— Bound India. What bay 
nearly separates Hindoostan from Farther India? What mountains 
north? What ocean south ? 


Turkestan. —1. Where is Turkestan ? Area? 2. Mountains? Seas? 3. 
Rivers? Deserts? Soil? Products? Minerals? 4. Population ? Of the Us¬ 
beks? Of slaves? Provinces? 5. Chief towns? Of Bokhara? Of Samar¬ 
cand? 6. Government? Religion? 




INDIA. 


365 

India comprises the two extensive peninsulas in the southern 
part of Asia: Hindoostan, or Western India, and Farther India, or 
India beyond the Ganges. Area, 2,170,000 square miles. Popula¬ 
tion, 172,000,000. 


HINDOOSTAN. 



SCENE ON THE GANGES. 

Questions on Map No. 39, Hindoostan.— Bound Hindoostan. 
What mountains northeast? What high peak? What mountains 
near the southeast coast? Southwest coast? Near the centre? 
Where is the Thur Desert? What bay southeast? Sea southwest? 
Ocean south? What large island south? What two groups south¬ 
west? Where is the Coromandel Coast? Gulf of Manaar? Cape Co¬ 
morin? Malabar Coast? Gulf of Cambay? Describe the river Ganges. 
Mahanuddy. Brahmaputra. Godavery. Indus. In what part of Ilin- 
doostan is the Presidency of Bengal? Of Madras? Of Bombay? 
In what part are the provinces of Nepaul and Bootan? Where is 
Calcutta? Madras? Bombay? Benares? Lucknow? Calicut? 
Agra? Delhi? Simla? Darjeeling? Ootacamund? Allahabad? 


India.— Wliat does India comprise? 
31* 








366 


ASIA 


1. Position and Extent. —Hindoostan comprises the great cen¬ 
tral peninsula of Southern Asia, lying south of Thibet and south¬ 
east of Afghanistan and Beloochistan, and includes the island of 
Ceylon and several groups of smaller islands. Area, 1,250,000 square 
miles,—equal to one-third of Europe. 

2. Natural Features. — Mountains .—In the north are the 
Himalaya Mountains. Mount Everest is the highest peak in the 
world. The Ghauts ( gawts ) traverse the southern coasts, on the east 
and west, to the extremity of the peninsula. Near the centre, the 
Vindhya ( vind'yah,) Range extends from east to west. 

3. The surface between these mountains is in general elevated 
table-land. The central and southern part is called the Deccan. 
The Desert of Thur ( tur ) is in the northwest. 

4. Coast-line , (fee.—The coast-line, on the Bay of Bengal (ben- 
gawV), Indian Ocean, and Arabian Sea, extends upwards of 3000 



VILLAGE IN THE HIMALAYAS. 


Hindoostan.— 1. Where is Hindoostan? Area? 2. Himalaya Mountains? 
Highest peak? Of the Ghauts? Vindhya Range? 3. Surface? Of the 
Deccan? Thur? 4. Coast-line? Best ports? Lakes? 
















INDIA. 


367 



miles. There are many indentations. The best ports are Calcutta, 
Madras, and Bombay. There are no lakes of importance. 

5. Rivers .—The principal rivers that flow in a southeasterly 
direction into the Bay of Bengal are the Ganges, Mahanuddy, Go- 
dav'ery, and their affluents; those that flow in a southwesterly direc¬ 
tion into the Arabian Sea are the Indus, Loonee, Nerbuddah, and 
their affluents. The Brahmaputra, after a circuitous course, empties 
through the Megna River into the Bay of Bengal. The Ganges is 
called the Sacred River; it overflows its banks annually. The Iloogly 
is one of the mouths of the Ganges. In the valley of the Ganges, 
and of other large rivers, are extensive forests and wooded districts 
called jungles, infested by tigers and other wild animals. 

6. Soil and Climate .—The soil is generally exceedingly fertile. 
The climate in the valleys and plains of the north, although imme¬ 
diately under the snow-capped mountains, is intensely warm in sum¬ 
mer; the winters are severe. On the great southern plains the heat 
during a large part of the year is excessive. In all the low lands 

• of Hindoostan the climate is very unhealthy. 

7. Products. 

—The principal 
products are su¬ 
gar-cane, cotton, 
opium, rice, 
wheat, Indian 
corn, barley, to¬ 
bacco, hemp, in¬ 
digo, pepper, and 
tropical fruits. 

The principal mi¬ 
nerals are gold, 
iron, and copper; 
diamonds,rubies, 
and other gems 
are found. 

The elephant, 

rhinoceros, tiger, bear, and hyena roam in the forests and jungles. 


ASIATIC LION. 


5. Rivers flowing southeasterly? Southwesterly? The Urnhmaputra? Of 
the Ganges? The Iloogly? 6. Soil? Climate north? South? 7. Products? 



368 


ASIA. 



There are innumerable birds of brilliant and varied plumage. The 
python, sufficiently powerful to destroy the tiger, the deadly cobra 
di capello, and other poisonous serpents, are found. 

There are extensive manufactories of silk and cotton fabrics: their 
products rival the finest made in any other part of the world. 

8. Population.—The people are called Hindoos, and are a branch 
of the Caucasian race. They are well formed, active, and intelli¬ 
gent. In complexion they vary from almost white to dark brown. 
There are also some Arabs, Persians, and Europeans. Population 
of Hindoostan, 130,000,000. Education receives little attention: the 
women, particularly, are kept in ignorance and subjection. 

9. Chief Towns.—Calcutta, the capital of British India and of 
the Presidency of Bengal, on the Hoogly Biver, 100 miles from the 

sea, consists 
of the English 
and Black 
towns; the 
former is 
handsomely 
built, and is 
defended by a 
strong citadel, 
called Fort 
William. 

Madras"', on 
the Coroman¬ 
del coast, the 
capital of the 
Presidency of 

government-house, Calcutta. Madras, is di¬ 


vided into a 

Black and a White town. In the former the natives reside, and in 
the latter the English. 

10. Bombay, on an island of the same name, on the west coast, is 
the capital of the Presidency of Bombay. It is noted for its com- 


Minerals? Animals? Birds? Serpents? Manufactures? 8. Population? Of 
Arabs, Ac.? Number? Education? 9. What of Calcutta? Madras? 10. 
Bombay ? Benares ? 









INDIA. 369 

merce and ship-building. Many of the inhabitants are Parsees, or 
fire-worshippers. 

Benares ( ben-ah'rez ), on the Ganges, is the chief seat of Hindoo 
learning: the Sanscrit College was founded here in the year 1792. 

11. Lucknow is noted for the part it played in the Sepoy rebel¬ 
lion. (The Sepoys are native soldiers in the British service.) Calicut, 
on the southwest coast, was the first Indian port visited by the Por¬ 
tuguese. Calico is so called because cotton goods of that name were 
first manufactured at Calicut. Cashmere, in the north, is renowned 
for its beautiful situation, and its costly and splendid shawls. Agra 
and Delhi ( deVle ), in the interior, are famous for their former great¬ 
ness and splendor: they are now in a decaying condition. 

12. Simla and Darjeeling, in the north, and Ootacamund, in the 
south, are the principal health-stations. Owing to the great eleva¬ 
tion of these places, their climate much resembles that of England. 

Allahabad / , on the Ganges, is the holy city of the Hindoos; it is 
visited every year by more than 200,000 pilgrims. 

13. Native Governments. —Those portions of Hindoostan not 
subject to Great Britain are despotically ruled by nabobs, or native 
princes. British conquest is, however, constantly narrowing the 
limits of these native governments and making them tributary. 

The Nizam, and the Nabobs of Berar, Mysore, Gujerat ( guzli-e - 
rat'), with some other princes, are tributary to the British govern, 
ment: their States are called the Protected States. The chief inde¬ 
pendent powers are Nepaul and Bootan. 

14. Government of British India.—The East India Company 
was chartered originally by Queen Elizabeth in the year 1600. Ou 
the expiration of the last charter, in 1858, a new government was 
appointed : the officers arc a Governor-General and Council, residing 
in Calcutta, and a Secretary of State and Council, residing in 
London. British India comprises the Presidencies of Bengal, Bom¬ 
bay, and Madras; the provinces of Farther India are attached to 
Bengal. 

15. Since the change in the government, great improvements have 
been made. Railroads, telegraph-lines, and bridges have been con- 

11. Lucknow? Calicut? Cashmere? Agra and Delhi ? 12. Simla, Dar¬ 

jeeling, und Ootacamund? Allahabad? 1.1. Native governments? Of tho 
Nizam and Nabobs ? Independent powers? 14. Goverumout of British India? 
What does it compriso ? 15. What since tho change ? 


3T0 


ASIA. 


structed in all parts of the country, and travelling, which up to that 
time had been much restricted, is easy and convenient. 

16. Religion. —The religion of the Hindoos is the worship of 
Brahma. Its distinguishing feature is the system of caste. The 
people are divided into four castes, the members of which cannot 
lawfully intermarry. The Brahmins, or priests, are the first caste; 
the soldiers, the second ; the farmers and merchants, the third ; and 
the laborers, the fourth. The pariahs are those who have lost caste, 
and are treated with contempt. 

17. Brahma is worshipped under the forms of Creator, Preserver, 
and Destroyer. The Hindoos believe in the transmigration of the 
soul. The spirits of the good are supposed to pass from higher to 
higher states of existence, and to be at length absorbed in Brahma. 
Those of the wicked are believed to pass from lower to lower forms 
of animal nature. Their religion is a gross idolatry; many animals 
are worshipped, the cow especially. 

18. In British India, the Church of England is established; mis¬ 
sionaries of various denominations are doing much to convert the 
natives to Christianity. 

19. Historical Statement. —The passage by sea to India was 
discovered by Vasco da Gama (dah gaii'mali), a Portuguese navi¬ 
gator, in 1498. The East India Company, after its formation, con¬ 
stantly increased in power, with occasional checks from the govern¬ 
ment, until its abolition. It maintained an efficient government, 
and a powerful army and navy; and the conquests in India were 
made through its enterprise. 

20. In May, 1857, the Sepoys mutinied, and were joined by some 
of the native princes. For a time British rule was endangered, and 
fearful massacres were committed. The rebellion was quelled, how¬ 
ever, and India is restored to peace. 

FARTHER INDIA. 

Questions on Map No. 39, Farther India. —In what part of 
Farther India is Birmah ? Siam ? Anam ? Malacca ? What gulfs 
on the east ? Sea on the east ? Strait south ? Island south ? Ocean 

16. Religion of the Hindoos? Name the castes. 17. What of Brahma? 
What of their religion ? 18. Of missionaries ? 19. Historical statement ? 20. 
What occurred in May, 1857 ? 



INDIA. 


371 


southwest? Gulf west? Bay west? What range of mountains near 
the east coast ? Describe the Irrawaddy River. Salwen. Meinam. 
Cambodia. In what part of Anam is Tonquin? Cochin China? 
Where is Cambodia? Laos? Where are the provinces of Assam, 
Aracan, Pegu, and Tenasserim ? Where is Mandelay ? Ava ? 
Amarapoora ? Hue ? Saigon ? Bangkok ? Malacca ? 

1. Position and Extent. —Farther India, or India beyond the 
Ganges, comprises the southeastern peninsula 

of Asia, and lies south of China and Thibet. 

Area, 920,000 square miles,—nearly equal to 
one-third of that of the United States. It 
includes the kingdoms of Birmah and Siam, 
the empire of Anara, the territory of Malacca, 
and some small provinces. Pop. 42,000,000. 

2. Natural Features. — Mountains. — 

The Mountains of Anam, and other ranges, 
border the coasts of the peninsula on the east 
and west, and another range extends through 
the interior from north to south. 

3. Coast-line and Rivers. —The coast¬ 

line is extensive, and includes the Gulfs of 
Tonquin, Siam, and Martaban. The China 
Sea is on tho east, and the Bay of Bengal 
on the west. The Irrawaddy, Salwen, Mei¬ 
nam, and Cambodia Rivers flow through tho 
peninsula from north to south. SCENE ,N SIAM - 

4. The products, soil, climate, and animals are like those of the 
southern part of Ilindoostan. 

5. BIRMAH was long the principal State of Farther India; but 
it has been stripped of much of its territory by British conquest. 
The capital is Mandelay, founded in 1850. Ava and Amarapoora, 
on the Irrawaddy River, are important towns. 

6. ANAM includes Tonquin {ton-keen') and Cochin China, with 

Fatitiif.ii India. —1. Whero is Farther India? Area? What does it in¬ 
clude? 2. Mountains? 3. Coast-line? Rivers? 4. Of tho products, soil, 
cliinnto, and animals? 5. Of birmah? Capital? Other towns? 6. Of Anam? 
Capital? Seaport? 





372 


ASIA. 


parts of Cambodia and Laos (lah'oce). The capital is Hue (Away), 
near the east coast. It is strongly fortified in the European manner. 
Saigon (si-gon'), the chief seaport of Anam, belongs to France. 



7. SIAM comprises the territory 
between Anam and Birmah. It lies 
between two ranges of mountains 
running from north to south. It com¬ 
prises also parts of Cambodia and Laos. 

8. Bangkok is the capital. Half of 
the population are Chinese, who live 
on rafts on the rivers. 

9. MALACCA is a peninsula: 
the northern part belongs to Siam, and 
the southern part to Great Britain. 
Georgetown, on the island of Penang, 
is the capital and seat of government 
of the British strait settlements, which 
comprise Penang, Wcllesley, Malacca, 
and Singapore. The inhabitants are 
Malays, and are chiefly Mohamjnedans. 

10. Assam, Aracan, Pegu ( pe-goo'), 
and Tenas / serim, are provinces in the 

north and west, and form a part of British India. 

11. Rangoon is the seaport of Pegu. All the native governments 
of Farther India are despotisms. Except among the Malays, the 
religion is chiefly the worship of Buddha, 


THE CHINESE EMPIRE. 

Questions on Maps No. 36 and 39, Chinese Empire. —(Map 
No. 36.) Bound the Chinese Empire. What mountains north ? South? 
West? What seas east? Where is China? Corea? Mantchooria? 
Mongolia? Elee? Thibet? (Map No. 39.) China. —Bound China. 
What gulf east? Strait? Seas? Island? Island south? What 


7. Of Siam? 8. Capital? 9. Of Malacca? Of Georgetown, &c.? 10. Of other 
provinces? 11. Rangoon? Native governments? Religion? 





THE CHINESE EMPIRE. 373 


two ranges of mountains extend from west to east through China ? 
Describe the Pei-Ho River. Hoang-Ho. Yang-tse-Kiang. Ilong- 
Kiang. Where is Pekin? Tien-tsin? Nankin? Canton? Amoy? 
Shanghai? Ningpo? Hang-Chow? Foo-Chow? Macao? Where is 
the Great Wall? The Grand Canal? 

Corea.— Bound Corea. What sea east? West? What mountains? 
What and where is the capital? Mantchooria ( Map No. 36).— 
Bound Mantchooria. What river north ? Through the centre ? 
What mountains west? Where is Merghen? Igoon ? Mongolia. 
—Bound Mongolia. What mountains North? East? Desert in 
the centre? In the southwest? Where is Ourga? Elee.—Bound 
Elee. What 
mountains 
north? South? 

West? What 
volcanoes 
near the cen¬ 
tre? What 
desert south? 

Where in 
Elee is Soon- 
garia? Little 
Bokhara? 

What moun¬ 
tains separato 
them? What 
river near 
the centre? 

Where is the 
city of Elee? 

Y arkand? 

Cash gar? porcelain tower, china. 

Thibet {Map 

Xo. 39)._ Bound Thibet. What mountains north? South? What 

river flows into China? Into India? Where is Lassa? Jiga 
Gungar ? Where is Little Thibet ? Leh ? 

1. That part of Central Asia south of Siberia, east of Turkestan, 

Chinese Empire.—1. Where is tho Chinese Empire? Area? 

32 







374 


ASIA. 


and north of India, constitutes the Chinese Empire. It includes 
nearly one-third of Asia. Area, 4,088,000 square miles,—consider¬ 
ably exceeding that of Europe. 

2. It comprises China and the dependencies of Corea, Mantchoo- 
ria, Mongolia, Elee, and Thibet. These dependencies, excepting 
Thibet, constitute Chinese Tartary. Its entire population is estimated 
at 369,000,000. The coast-line of the Chinese Empire is 3350 miles 
long. 

3. The Chinese belong to the Mongol race, and are one of the old¬ 
est nations in the world. They invented paper, printing, gunpowder, 
and the compass, at an early day, but for many centuries have made 
little progress in knowledge or the arts. 

CHINA. 

1. Position and Extent. —China is the southeastern portion of 
the Chinese Empire, and comprises about one-third of its extent. 
Area, 1,298,000 square miles,—equal to one-third of Europe, 

2. Natural Features. — The Peling and Nanling mountain- 
chains extend through China from west to east in a nearly parallel 
course. Between these two chains, and north of the Peling, there 
are numerous peaks and cross-ranges. The surface is diversified, 
and consists chiefly of elevated plains and extensive fertile valleys. 

3. Coast-line. —The coast-line extends nearly 2000 miles, and 
includes the Gulfs of Pechelee and Tonquin. The Yellow, Eastern, 
and China Seas are on the east. There are many islands near the 
coast; the most important are Formosa, Hainan, Macao, and Hong- 
Kong. 

4. Rivers. —The principal rivers, flowing in an easterly direction 

and emptying into the seas and gulfs on the coast, are the Pei-IIo, 
Hoang-Ho, Yang-tse-Kiang, and Hong-Kiang. The Yang-tse-Kiang 
is 3000 miles long, and is the largest river in Asia and the fourth 
in length in the world. * 

5. Soil and Climate. —The soil is fertile and highly cultivated. 
Agriculture receives great attention. Once a year the emperor, 

2. What does it comprise? Of dependencies? Population? Coast-line? 
3. What is said of the Chinese? China.— 1. Where is China? Area? 2. Of 
the Peling and Nanling Mts.? Of peaks? Surface? 3. Coast-line? Soas ? 
Islands? 4. Of rivers? Of tho Yang-tse-Kiang? 5. Soil? Climate? 




THE CHINESE EMPIRE. 375 

attended by a numerous retinue, ploughs a furrow and sows some 
seed, to show his respect for agriculture ; but Chinese farming-imple¬ 
ments are still rude and unimproved. 

The climate in summer is extremely warm. The winters at the 
north are cool, but not severe. 

6. Products. —The tea-plant is the great staple of China. Other 
important products are rice, sweet potatoes, wheat, barley, and other 
grains, cotton, sugar-cane, the castor-oil plant, camphor, cassia, in¬ 
digo, and tropical fruits. The principal minerals are gold, silver, 
copper, quicksilver, and coal. 


PAGODA AND TEA-GARDEN. 

7. In the manufacture of cotton, woollen, silk, embroidery, porce¬ 
lain, and earthenware, the Chinese are famous. They also greatly 
excel in the carving of ivory, wood, and tortoise-shell. 

8. Ginseng is imported from America, and opium from Bengal. 
The English, against the desire and the earnest efforts of the Chineso 
authorities, forced upon them the opium-trade. The smoking of opium 
is common, and extremely pernicious to the people. 

i. Products? Minerals? 7. Manufactures? 8. Ofginsong? Of opium? 









876 


ASIA. 


9. Divisions. —China is divided into eighteen provinces. Of 
these, the most important are Pe-chee-lee, with its capital, Pekin; 
Kiangsu,—capital, Nankin; and Quang-tung,—capital, Canton. Of 
the rest very little is known. 

10. Population. —The people are principally Mongols; but the 
ruling race, to which the emperor belongs, are Mantchoos. The 
Chinese, with many good qualities, are usually deceitful and treach¬ 
erous. Population, 350,000,000. 

A supposed beauty in women is the smallness of their feet, which 
are compressed in infancy and not allowed to grow. 

11. Education.—Education is general, and learning is greatly 
respected. All classes can read and write. Newspapers and books 
are printed in great numbers. 

12. Chief Towns.—Pekin, on the Pei-ho ( pay-ho / ), is the capital 
of the empire. The emperor has here a splendid palace and gardens. 
Pekin was taken by the French and English forces in 1860. Tien¬ 
tsin, on the Pei-ho, is its port. 

Nankin, on the right bank of the Yang-tse-Kiang, was formerly 
the capital. It is the chief seat of learning. Hang-Chow and Foo- 
Chow are great commercial cities. 

13. Canton is about 80 miles from the sea, and, until lately, was 
the only place open to foreign trade. It is remarkable for its crowd 
of boats, upon which people permanently reside. Ilong-Kong is on 
an island near Canton. 

Amoy is the chief depot of Indian trade. Shanghai, on the east 
coast, near the mouth of the Yang-tse-Kiang, is much frequented by 
Americans and Europeans. Ningpo has a great trade in silks and 
tea. Macao ( mah-kow'), in the south, belongs to the Portuguese. 

14. The internal commerce of China is transported principally on 
the rivers and the Grand Canal, which extends from Hang-Chow to 
Tien-tsin, a distance of 700 miles. 

15. Government. —The government is an absolute despotism. 
The emperor, called the “ Son of Heaven,” is sole ruler and high- 
priest. His ministers and officials of all ranks are called man¬ 
darins. They are of nine classes or orders, distinguished from each 

9. Divisions? 10. Of the people? Number? Of women ? 11. Education? 
12. Of Pekin? What port? Nankin? Other towns ? 13. Canton ? In what 
remarkable? Hong-Kong ? Amoy? Shanghai? Ningpo? Macao? 14. In¬ 
ternal commerce? Of the Grand Canal? 15. Government? Classes or offi- 



TIIE CHINESE EMPIRE. 


377 



cials? 16. Of tho army? Navy? What recently occurred? 17. Religion? 
Whut occurred in 1860? Of Mohammedans, Ac.? Missionaries? 18. His¬ 
torical statement? 

12 * 


HONS-KONG. 


other by the color of the cap-button. They obtain rank in office in 
proportion to their attainments in learning. 

16. Tho army contains nearly 1,000,000 men; but they are in¬ 
efficient and ill-armed. The navy, divided into a sea-fleet and a 
river-fleet, is large, but badly equipped. Recently a formidable 
rebellion broko out in China; but it appears now (1865) to be nearly 
quelled. 

17. Religion. —Buddhism is the prevailing religion ; but Yu, the 
jtate system, is that founded by Confucius about 530 years before 
Christ. In 1850, the emperor published an edict tolerating Chris¬ 
tianity throughout the empire. There are some Mohammedans and 
a few Jews. Missionaries of almost every Christian sect are now 
laboring in China. 

18. Historical Statement. —The history of China dates back to 
a remote antiquity. Little is known with certainty of its early 






878 


ASIA. 


history. While other nations were shrouded in barbarism, a limited 
civilization existed among the Chinese. 

19. Of their skill in building, the Great Wall is an illustration. It 
was begun about 214 b.c., employed several millions of men, and was 
finished in ten years. Its object was to defend China against the 
Tartars. It is 1250 miles long and 25 feet high; six horsemen could 
ride abreast upon it. It has, however, fallen into decay. 

20. By the treaty of 1842, made by Great Britain with China, 
Canton, Amoy, Foo-Chow, Ningpo, and Shanghai ( shang-hi / ), called 
the Free Ports, were thrown open to trade. New privileges were 
granted to the United States by the treaty of 1859. Since that 
time, other free ports have been opened. 

COREA.—1. Corea is a peninsula, lying between the Sea of 
Japan and the Yellow Sea. Area, 80,000 square miles. The popu¬ 
lation is estimated at 7,000,000. Several groups of small islands 
belong to Corea. 

2. Although nominally subject to China, it is governed by its own 
king, who rules despotically. An annual tribute is paid to the 
Chinese emperor, and an embassy is sent every year to China with 
presents and political intelligence. 

3. The capital is Kingkitao ( Jcing-ke-tah'o ), 
near the centre of the peninsula. Corea is 
noted for a breed of dwarf horses three feet 
high. 

MANTCHOORIA. —1. Mantchooria, or 
“ The Country of the Mantchoos,” is the north¬ 
eastern division of the empire. It is situated 
southwest of the Amoor River; the portion 
beyond that stream was annexed to Russia in 
1856. Area, 650,000 square miles. Popula¬ 
tion, 2,000,000. 

2. Its surface is chiefly mountainous. The 
climate is variable: the winters are long and cold. The chief towns 
are Merghen and Igoon. 

19. Of the Great Wall? How long, &c. ? 20. What of the treaty of 1842? 
New privileges since granted? Corea. —1. What of Corea? Area? Popu¬ 
lation? 2. What is said of it ? 3. Capital? For what noted? Mantchooria._ 

1. What of Mantchooria ? Area? Population? 2. Surface, <fcc. ? Chief towns? 



A MONGOLIAN. 





CHINA. 


379 


MONGOLIA. —1. Mongolia is a large province of the Chinese 
Empire, and the original seat of the Mongol race. It lies south of 
Siberia and east of Mantchooria. Area, 1,000,000 square miles. 
Population, 2,000,000. 

2. The Desert of Cobi occupies most of its surface. In the north, 
south, and east it is mountainous. The Kuen-lun Mountains sepa¬ 
rate it from Thibet, and the Altai from Siberia. Its rivers are 
chiefly tributaries of the Amoor. The chief city is Ourga (oor 7 - 
gah). 

ELEB.—1. The western portion of the Chinese Empire is called 
Elee, from its principal city. Area, 460,000 square miles. Popu¬ 
lation, 2,000,000. 

2. It includes Soongaria and Little Bokhara ( bo-kah'rah ). North 
of the centre it is traversed by the Thian-Shan Mountains; the 
volcanoes of Peshan and Ilochow are in this range. 

3. Elee is the chief town of Soongaria ; it is a place of banishment 
for Chinese criminals. Yarkand, in Little Bokhara, has an extensive 
commerce, and is garrisoned by Chinese troops. Cashgar, in the west, 
was known as a commercial emporium before the Christian era. 

4. The people are generally Mongols; those of Soongaria are 
Kalmuks, or Eluths. 

THIBET.—1. Thibet, the southernmost division of the Chinese 
Empire, lies south of the Kuen-lun Mountains and north of the 
Himalayas. Area, 600,000 square miles. Population, 6,000,000. It 
is the most elevated inhabited region on the globe. The climate is 
cold and dry; the soil is sterile. 

2. The Indus, Brahmaputra, and other great rivers, rise in Thibet. 
The most peculiar animals are the yak, or grunting ox, the shawl 
goat, and the musk deer; cattle and other domestic animals abound. 

3. The capital is Lassa, near which is the residence of tho Grand 
Lama. Thibet was conquered by China in 1727. It is governed by 
Chinese viceroys in conjunction with the Lamas. 

Mongolia. —1. What of Mongolia? Area? Population? 2. Desert? 
Mountains? Rivers? Chief city? Eleb. — 1. What of Elee ? Area? Popu¬ 
lation? 2. What does it include ? Mountains? Volcanoes ? 3. Chief towns? 
What of Cashgar? 4. Of tho people ? Thibet. —1. What of Thibet? Moun¬ 
tains? Area? Population? What of its elevation? Cliinato and soil? 2. 

Rivers? Animals? 3. Capital? IIow governed? 



380 


ASIA. 


4. The religion is the purest Buddhism. The priests, who are 
numerous, form a powerful hierarchy, and are called Lamas. They 
reside in monasteries. The Grand Lama is both a temporal and a 
spiritual ruler; he is regarded as the representative of Buddha on 
earth, and is worshipped as God himself. 

5. Jiga Gungar (jee'gah goong-gar / ) is the largest city: Teshoo / 
Lomboo / contains the principal monastery. 

6. On the west, in a valley enclosed by the Himalaya and Kuen- 
lun Mountains, lies Little Thibet. The Indus flows through it, and 
renders its soil fertile. Leh {lay), the chief town, has a great trade 
in shawl-wool. 


JAPAN. 



RECEPTION OF AMERICAN OFFICERS BY THE TYCOON. 


Questions on Map No. 36, Empire of Japan. —Name the four 
principal islands of the Empire of Japan. Which is the largest ? 

4. Religion ? Of the Grand Lama ? 5. Cities ? 6. What on the west ? What 
is said of Little Thibet? Chief town? 
















JAPAN. 


381 


Which next? What sea west of the Japan islands? Ocean east? 
Sea north ? Southwest ? What and where is the capital ? Where are 
Miaco and Osaca? Matsmay and Ilakodadi? Where is Nagasaki? 

1. Position and Extent —Japan is an insular empire on the 
northeastern coast of Asia, comprising the islands Niphon ( nif-on'), 
Jesso (yes'so), Kiusiu ( ke-oo'se-oo / ), and Sikoke', with some smaller 
groups. Niphon is the largest island. Area of all the Japan islands, 
estimated at 260,000 square miles,—equal to that of the republic 
of Chili. 

2. Natural Features. —The coast is very irregular, being deeply 
indented with bays and gulfs. Fusi-Yama, a mountain-chain, tra¬ 
verses Niphon; a dormant volcano is the loftiest peak, being about 
11,000 feet high. 

3. The rivers of Japan are short, being torrents rather than 
rivers. The harbor of Yeddo is large, but shallow; that of Naga¬ 
saki ( nah-gah-sah'ke ) is capacious and deep. 

4. Soil and Climate. —The soil is cultivated with great care 
and industry. The climate is various, but mild for the latitude. The 
islands are subject to frequent hurricanes. 

5. Products. —The grains and forest-trees of the temperate zones 
abound in the north, and the products and fruits of the torrid zone 
in the south. Flowers are numerous, and of varied beauty. The 
japonica, as its name indicates, came from Japan. Cotton, tobacco, 
tea, and silk are exported. 

6. The mineral productions are gold, silver, quicksilver, copper, 
tin, lead, iron, and coal. Pearls, agates, and fino marbles also are 
found. 

7. In manufactures the Japanese resemble the Chinese, and aro 
about equal to them in skill. They manufacture principally silk, 
cotton, porcelain, and lacquered or Japan ware. 

8. Population. —The people of Japan are of the Mongol race, 
and aro much like the Chinese; they aro active, intelligent, and 
well informed as to foreign affairs. They are divided into eight 
classes,—princes, nobles, priests, soldiers, civil officers, merchants, 
artisans, and laborers. Population, about 35,000,000. 

Japan.—1. Where is Japan? Area? 2. Of the coast? Mountains? 3. 
Rivers? Harbors? 4. Soil? Climate? 5. Products? Flowers? 6. Mine¬ 
rals? 7. Manufactures? 8. Population? Classos? Number? 




384 


ASIA. 


to the British. They are densely wooded, and consist of North, 
Middle, and South Andamans. The inhabitants are the lowest type 
of the Papuan race. 

8. The Nic/obar Islands lie south of the Andamans. Great 
Nicobar is the largest. They belong to Denmark; but all attempts 
at colonization have failed, from the unhealthiness of the climate. 

9. Singapore lies off the southern extremity of Malacca, and 
belongs to Great Britain. It contains the city of Singapore, a great 
commercial mart. 

10. Hainan ( hi-nan / ) Island lies south of China, and belongs to 
it. Population, 1,000,000, consisting of Chinese and various wild 
inland tribes. Kien-Chow is the capital. 

11. Hong-Kong is at the entrance of the Boea Tigris ( bok'lcah 
te'gris ), the inlet upon which Canton is situated. It belongs to 
Great Britain. Population, about 40,000. Victoria, the capital, has 
a g'od harbor and considerable commerce. 

12. Formosa Island lies off the east coast of China, from which 
it is separated by the Strait of Formosa. It belongs to China. 
Population, about 2,500,000. Tai-wan is the capital. 

13. The Loo-Choo Islands lie between Japan and Formosa. 
The principal island is called the Great Loo-Choo. They belong to 
Japan. 

14. Quelpaert ( Tcwel'part ) is a small island at the southern en¬ 
trance of the Strait of Corea. It is used by the Coreans as a penal 
settlement. 

15. Saghalien ( sah-gali-le'en ) is a long, narrow island north of 
Jesso; it belongs to Russia. The inhabitants are a peculiar race, 
known as the Ainos ( i'noce ). 

16. The Kurile ( koo'ril) Islands extend from Jesso to Kamt- 
schatka, a distance of 650 miles. The surface is mountainous, with 
a number of volcanoes. The population is small, and consists mostly 
of fishermen. 

17. The islands of New Siberia lie in the Arctic Ocean, north¬ 
east of the mouth of the river Lena. They are mountainous, and 
uninhabited. Fossil ivory, consisting of the tusks of various extinct 
animals, is dug up, and forms an article of trade. 

8. Nicobars? 9. Singapore? 10. Hainan? 11. Hong-Kong? 12. For¬ 
mosa? 13. Loo-Choos? 14. Quelpaert? 15. Saghalien? 16. Kuriles? 17. 
Of New Siberia? 



AFRICA 


885 


AFRICA. 





AFRICAN SCENE. 


Questions on Map No. 40, 
Africa.— Bound Africa. Be¬ 
tween what parallels of latitude 
does Africa principally lie? 
Meridians of longitude ? 

Divisions. —Where are the 
Barbary States? Name them. 
Ans. Morocco, Algeria, Tunis, 
Tripoli,Barca, and Beled-el-Jerid. 
Where is Sahara, or Great Desert? Egypt? Nubia? Abyssinia? 
Kordofan ? Darfur? Senegambia? Sierra Leone? Liberia? Upper 
Guinea? Name the States in Upper Guinea. Ans. Grain Coast, 
Ivory Coast, Gold Coast , Ashantee, Dahomey, Toruha, and Benin . 
Where is Lower Guinea? Name the States in Lower Guinea. Ans. 
Biafra, Bongo, Loango, Congo, Angola, and Benguela. 

Where is Southern Africa? What does it include? Ans. The 
Country of the Hottentots, Cape Colony, Caffraria, Natal, Orange 
River Free State, Trans Vaal Republic, and the countries of the Zoolus 
vnd Bcchuanas. Where is Mozambique? Zanguebar? The country 


33 


AFKICA. 


of the Somaulies? Soudan? Name the principal States in Soudan. 
Ans. Kaarta, Bambarra , Timbuctoo, Kong, Borgoo, Houssa, Bornou , 
Begliarmi, and Borgoo. Where is Ethiopia? 

Through what countries does the tropic of Cancer pass? The 
equator ? The tropic of Capricorn ? 

Seas, Bays, &c. —Where is the Mediterranean Sea? Gulf of 
Sidra? Isthmus of Suez ? Red Sea? Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb? Gulf 
of Aden? Mozambique Channel? DelagoaBay? Walwiseh Bay ? 
Great Fish Bay ? Bight of Biafra ? Bight of Benin ? Calabar Coast ? 
Gulf of Guinea ? Strait of Gibraltar ? 

Capes.— Where are the following capes? Bon. Guardafui. Orfui. 
Bassas. Delgado. Ambro. St. Mary. Corrientes. Agulhas. Good 
Hope. Cross. Frio. Coast Castle. Three Points. Palmas. Yerd. 
Blanco. Bojador. 

Islands. —Where are the following islands ? Socotra. Seychelles. 
Comoros. Madagascar. Mascarenhas. Ethiopian Archipelago. 
St. Helena. Ascension. Annobon. St. Thomas’s. Prince’s. Fer¬ 
nando Po. St. Paul. Cape Yerd. Canary. Madeira. Azores. 

Mountains.— Where are the Atlas Mountains? Mountains of the 
Moon? In what range are the peaks of Kenia and Kilimanjaro? 
Where are the Draakberg Mountains? Snow? Mocambe? Crystal? 
Cameroons? Kong? Ilogar? Black? Marra? 

Lakes and Rivers.— Where is Lake Lowdeah? Tchad? Dem- 
bea? Victoria Nyanza? Tanganyika? Nyassi? Ngami? 

Describe the following rivers. Nile. Zambezi. Orange. Congo. 
Niger. Gambia. Senegal. 

Deserts and Oases. —Where is Sahara? In what part is the 
Libyan Desert? Nubian Desert? In what part is the oasis of Fez- 
zan? Tibesty? Bilmah? Air? Tuat? Augela? Siwah? Where 
is the Desert Coast ? Where is Kalihari Desert ? 

1. Position, Form, and Extent. —Africa is one of the grand 
divisions of the earth, and lies south of Europe. It is a vast penin¬ 
sula, connected with Asia by the Isthmus of Suez. Its greatest 
length, from north to south, is about 5000 miles, and its greatest 
breadth, from east to west, 4700 miles. Area, 10,936,000 square 
miles,—or nearly three times that of Europe. 


Africa. —1. What is said of Africa? Length and breadth? Area? 




AFRICA. 


387 


2. Natural Features. — Mountains. — In the northwest, tra¬ 
versing the Barbary States, are the Atlas Mountains, a range ex¬ 
tending 1400 miles. Parallel with the east coast, and about 500 
miles inland, is the range of Mountains of the Moon, in which are 
the lofty peaks Kilimanjaro and Kenia, each 20,000 feet high: 
although directly under the equator, their summits are perpetually 
covered with snow. Parallel with the west coast, and also about 500 
miles inland, is another extensive range, including the Kong, Crystal, 
and Mocambe Mountains. The Snow Mountains are near the south¬ 
ern coast. 

3. Surface .—The surface consists of several vast central plains, 
which descend in terraces towards the sea. In the extreme north¬ 
west it is mountainous; but farther south lies Sahara, the largest 
desert in the world. Sahara is about 3000 miles long and 1000 
miles wide. 

4. Coast-line, &c .—Africa presents an extended coast-line, with 
numerous gulfs and bays, but few good harbors. On the north is the 
Mediterranean Sea, separating Africa from Europe, and on the north¬ 
east, between Asia and Africa, the Red Sea. The Red Sea connects 
with the Indian Ocean by the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb and the Gulf 
of Aden. A ship-canal across the Isthmus of Suez, connecting the 
Red and Mediterranean Seas, was completed in 1865. 

5. Rivers .—Africa has few navigable rivers. The Nile, having 
its source—according to the report of the explorer Dr. Speke—in 
Lake Tanganyika, in Ethiopia, flows northward through Nubia and 
Egypt into the Mediterranean Sea. It is 3000 miles long, and for 
1500 miles has no tributary. 

G. The Niger (ni'jer) rises in the Kong Mountains, and empties 
into the Gulf of Guinea. The Senegal and the Gambia flow through 
Senegambia into the Atlantic. The Zambezi River rises in the 
Balobale country, and empties into Mozambique Channel. The 
Congo, the source of which is not far from that of the Zambezi, flows 
in the opposite direction into the Atlantic. The Orange River flows 
into the Atlantic. 


2. Mountains in tho northwest? Parallel with the east coast? What is 
said of these mountains? Mountains on tho west coast? Snow Mountains? 
3. Of tho surface? Of Sahara? 4. Coast-line? Seas? What of the Red 
Sea? Of a ship-canal? 5. Rivers? Of tho Nile? 6. Of the Niger? Other 
rivers? 



388 


AFRICA. 


7. Divisions. —Africa comprises the Barbary States, Sahara, the 
Region of the Nile, Western Africa, Southern Africa, Eastern Africa, 
Central Africa, and the African Islands. 

8. Soil and Climate. —The soil and climate of Africa are but 
imperfectly known. On the coast, in almost every part except the 
shores of the desert, the soil is fertile; but the climate is unhealthy 
for white men. The central regions have been partially explored 
by distinguished British, French, and German travellers. 

9. Products. —The chief products of tropical regions abound. 

10. Animal s. —The 
principal animals are the 
lion, elephant, leopard, 
camel, giraffe, zebra, rhi¬ 
noceros, and hippopota¬ 
mus. Crocodiles and large 
serpents infest the rivers 
and low lands of the tro¬ 
pical districts. Various 
kinds of deer and buffalo, 
antelopes, springboks, and 
harte-beests, roam in great 
numbers. The ostrich, also, 
is found. 

11. Among the varieties of the ape, the gorilla is noted for its size 
and strength. The white ants build hills 10 or 12 feet high, in which 
they very ingeniously form cells, apartments, and galleries. The 
locust has been, from the earliest times, the scourge of the cultivated 
districts. 

12. Population.—The population consists mainly of the Negro 
race. They comprise most of the inhabitants lying south of the 
Great Desert. The Moors, Arabs, Berbers, Egyptians, Abyssinians, 
and Fellatahs belong to the Caucasian race; but many of them are 
intermixed with the Negro. 

13. The negroes are generally in a deplorable state of ignorance. 
Africa has for centuries furnished slaves to other parts of the world. 

7. Of the divisions of Africa? 8. Soil and climate? Of the central part? 
9. Products? 10. Animals? Deer, &c.? 11. Gorilla, &c.? 12. Of the popu¬ 
lation ? Of the Moors, &o.? 13. Of the negroes? Of slaves? Number? 


Palm-oil and shea-butter are peculiar. 



GIRAFFES. 




AFRICA. 389 

The slave-trade is now abolished by Christian nations. The entire 
population is estimated at 71,325,000. 

14. Government. —Most of the African governments are abso¬ 
lute despotisms, and the boundaries of the several countries are not 
clearly defined. The various European settlements on the coast 
are under the government of the States to which they respectively 
belong. 

15. Religion. —In Egypt, the Barbary States, and Soudan, the 
Mohammedan religion prevails. Christianity is professed in Abys¬ 
sinia, but is debased by gross superstition. The greater part of 
Africa is under the dominion of the lowest form of Paganism. 

16. Historical Statement. —In ancient times, Egypt and Car¬ 
thage were among the most important States in the world. The first- 
named was the cradle of the arts and sciences; the other was a great 
commercial and naval State. It was the rival of Rome, and con- 





RUINS OF CARTHAGE. 


tended with that power for the empire of the world, but was destroyed 
in the contest, its name as a nation blotted out, and its territory an- 


14. Governments? Of the various settlements? 15. Roligion? 16. What 
historical statement? What occurred after the declino of tho Roman Empire? 

33* 




390 


AFRICA. 


nexed to the Roman Empire. After the decline of the latter the 
Saracens overran Northern Africa. They were supplanted in turn 
by the Turks, who now exercise only a limited authority. 


THE BARBARY STATES. 

Questions on Map No. 40, Barbary States.—Name the Bar¬ 
bary States. Ans. Morocco, Algeria, Tunis, Tripoli, Barca, and Beled- 
el-Jerid. What ocean and sea north ? Desert south ? What range 
of mountains traverses the Barbary States ? Where are the Gharian 
Mountains ? Morocco.—Bound Morocco. What strait between 
Morocco and Spain ? What waters does this strait connect ? Where 
is Mt. Miltsin ? What river in the south ? What and where is the 
capital ? Where is Fez ? Mequinez ? Mogadore ? Ceuta ? 

Algeria. —Bound Algeria. What mountains in Algeria ? What 
and where is the capital? Where is Constantina? Bona? Oran,? 
Tunis.— Bound Tunis. What mountains in Tunis? What cape 
north ? What lake ? What and where is the capital ? Where is 
Kairwan ? What two islands near Tunis ? Tripoli. —Bound Tripoli. 
What mountains in Tripoli ? What and where is the capital ? 
Where is Mesurata? Barca.—Bound Barca. What gulf west? 
Where is Derne? Bengazi? (Ruins of) Cyrene? Beled-el-Jerid. 
—Bound Beled-el-Jerid. What mountains in the north ? Where is 
Tuggurt ? Laghouat ? 

1. Position and Extent.—Barbary, in the northern part of Africa, 
includes Morocco, Algeria, Tunis, Tripoli, Barca, and the Beled-el- 

Jerid, or land of dates. Area, about 700,000 square miles,_a little 

exceeding that of Mexico. 

2. Natural Features.—The Atlas Mountains traverse the coun¬ 
try in a direction nearly parallel to the coast, and are rich in mine¬ 
rals. The highest peak, Mt. Miltsin, rises 11,400 feet above the sea. 
Lake Lowdeah, in Tunis, is the principal lake, and is noted for its 
salt. The rivers are unimportant. 

3. Soil and Climate .—In the region lying between the moun- 

Barbary States.— 1. What of Barbary? Area? 2. Mountains? Highest 
peak ? Lake ? Rivers ? 3. Soil and climate ? 




THE BARBARY STATES. 


391 


tains and the sea the soil is fertile, but imperfectly cultivated. The. 
climate is mild; but the towns along the coast are frequently ravaged 
by the plague. 

4. Products.— The principal products are durrah, corn, wheat, 
barley, olives, almonds, dates, and tropical fruits. Barbary is re¬ 
nowned for its excellent breed of horses. 

5. The chief inland trade with the countries lying south of Sahara 
is by means of caravans. Grains and fruits are exported mainly 
to the ports on the Mediterranean Sea. 

6. Population. —Barbery is inhabited by several varieties of the 
Caucasian race. The Moors inhabit the towns; the Arabs live in 
tents, and raise grain and cattle. The Berbers and Shelluhs dwell 
among the mountains. 

7. The Kabyles of Algiers, and the Tuaricks of the Desert, are 
branches of the Berber race. There are many Jews in Barbary, who 
are oppressed and heavily taxed. Negro slaves are brought from 
Soudan. A large portion of the population of Morocco consists 
of the descendants of the Moors who were banished from Spain in 
the fifteenth century. The entire population is 16,200,000. 

8. The people of Barbary were once noted pirates, and enslaved 
the crews of the vessels which they captured; but the United States, 
England, and France have put a stop to this practice. 

MOROCCO. —1. Morocco, a Barbary State, lies on the Atlantic 
Ocean north of the Groat Desert. Area, 222,000 square miles,—a 
little exceeding that of France. 

2. The climate is mild and the soil fertile; but'the government is 
so despotic that agriculture and the arts are greatly discouraged. 
The most important manufactures are morocco leather, saddles, and 
carpets. In the Atlas Mountains copper, iron, lead, antimony, and 
sulphur are found. 

3. The population is estimated at 9,000,000. The people are the 
least intelligent and the most bigoted in Barbary. 

4. Morocco, the capital, lies on a fertile plain west of the Atlas 


4. Products? 5. Of caravans, Ac.? 6. Population? 7. Of the Kabyles and 
Tuaricks, Ac. ? Moors? Number? 8. What of the people ? Morocco.— 1. 
What of Morocco? Area? 2. Climato and soil? Manufactures? Minerals? 
3. Population ? 4. Of the capital ? 



390 


AFRICA. 


nexed to the Roman Empire. After the decline of the latter the 
Saracens overran Northern Africa. They were supplanted in turn 
by the Turks, who now exercise only a limited authority. 


THE BARBARY STATES. 

Questions on Map No. 40, Barbary States.—Name the Bar¬ 
bary States. Ans. Morocco, Algeria, Tunis, Tripoli, Barca, and Beled- 
el-Jerid. What ocean and sea north ? Desert south ? What range 
of mountains traverses the Barbary States ? Where are the Gharian 
Mountains ? Morocco.—Bound Morocco. What strait between 
Morocco and Spain ? What waters does this strait connect ? Where 
is Mt. Miltsin ? What river in the south ? What and where is the 
capital ? Where is Fez 2 Mequinez ? Mogadore ? Ceuta ? 

Algeria.—Bound Algeria. What mountains in Algeria ? What 
and where is the capital? Where is Constantina? Bona? Oran,? 
Tunis.—Bound Tunis. What mountains in Tunis? What cape 
north ? What lake ? What and where is the capital ? Where is 
Kairwan ? What two islands near Tunis ? Tripoli.—Bound Tripoli. 
What mountains in Tripoli ? What and where is the capital ? 
Where is Mesurata? Barca.—Bound Barca. What gulf west? 
Where is Derne ? Bengazi? (Ruins of) Cyrene ? Beled-el-Jerid. 
—Bound Beled-el-Jerid. What mountains in the north? Where is 
Tuggurt ? Laghouat ? 

1. Position and Extent.—Barbary, in the northern part of Africa, 
includes Morocco, Algeria, Tunis, Tripoli, Barca, and the Beled-el- 

Jerid, or land of dates. Area, about 700,000 square miles,_a little 

exceeding that of Mexico. 

2. Natural Features.—The Atlas Mountains traverse the coun¬ 
try in a direction nearly parallel to the coast, and are rich in mine¬ 
rals. The highest peak, Mt. Miltsin, rises 11,400 feet above the sea. 
Lake Lowdeah, in Tunis, is the principal lake, and is noted for its 
salt. The rivers are unimportant. 

3. Soil and Climate. —In the region lying between the moun- 

Barbary States.— 1. What of Barbary ? Area? 2. Mountains? Highest 
peak ? Lake ? Rivers ? 3. Soil and climate ? 




THE BARBARY STATES. 


391 


tains and the sea the soil is fertile, hut imperfectly cultivated. Th«y 
climate is mild; but the towns along the coast are frequently ravaged 
by the plague. 

4. Products.— The principal products are durrah, corn, wheat, 
barley, olives, almonds, dates, and tropical fruits. Barbary is re¬ 
nowned for its excellent breed of horses. 

5. The chief inland trade with the countries lying south of Sahara 
is by means of caravans. Grains and fruits are exported mainly 
to the ports on the Mediterranean Sea. 

6. Population. —Barl^ry is inhabited by several varieties of the 
Caucasian race. The Moors inhabit the towns; the Arabs live in 
tents, and raise grain and cattle. The Berbers and Shelluhs dwell 
among the mountains. 

7. The Kabyles of Algiers, and the Tuaricks of the Desert, are 
branches of the Berber race. There are many Jews in Barbary, who 
are oppressed and heavily taxed. Negro slaves are brought from 
Soudan. A large portion of the population of Morocco consists 
of the descendants of the Moors who were banished from Spain in 
the fifteenth century. The entire population is 10,200,000. 

8. The people of Barbary were once noted pirates, and onslaved 
the crews of the vessels which thc 3 r captured; but the United States, 
England, and France have put a stop to this practice. 

MOROCCO. —1. Morocco, a Barbary State, lies on the Atlantic 
Ocean north of the Groat Desert. Area, 222,000 square miles,—a 
little exceeding that of France. 

2. The climate is mild and the soil fertile; but*the government is 
so despotic that agriculture and the arts arc greatly discouraged. 
The most important manufactures are morocco leather, saddles, and 
carpets. In the Atlas Mountains copper, iron, lead, antimony, and 
sulphur are found. 

3. The population is estimated at 9,000,000. The people are the 
least intelligent and the most bigoted in Barbary. 

4. Morocco, the capital, lies on a fertile plain west of the Atlas 


4. Products ? 5. Of caravans, Ac. ? f>. Population ? 7. Of the Ivabyles and 
Tuaricks, Ac. ? Moors? Number? 8. What of the people? Morocco.— 1. 
What of Morocco? Area? 2. C’limato and soil? Manufactures? Minerals? 
3. Population ? 4. Of the capital ? 



892 


AFRICA 


Mountains. It is surrounded by a wall. The population is steadily 

5. Fez is 
next in popu¬ 
lation to Mo¬ 
rocco. The 
houses are 
built of brick 
or stone, and 
richly orna¬ 
mented ; the 
streets are nar¬ 
row, dark, and 
filthy. It has an 
extensive in¬ 
land trade. Me- 
quinez (mek f - 
e-nez) is one of 
the favorite re¬ 
sidences of the 
Sultan. Moga- 

dore and Rabat'' are the chief seaports. Ceuta ( su'tah,) is the chief 
of the Spanish Presidios. 

6. The government is despotic: the will of the Sultan is law. He 
keeps a standing army, more than half of which is composed of 
negroes brought from Soudan. By the war of 1859-60, Spain ac¬ 
quired additional territory in Morocco. 

ALGERIA. —1. Algeria, a Barbary State, lies on the Mediter¬ 
ranean, east of Morocco. Its greatest length is 500 miles, and its 
greatest breadth 200 miles. Area, 90,000 square miles,—nearly 
equal to that of Italy. 

The soil, climate, and productions are like those of Morocco. In 
some parts, the climate is the finest in the world. 

2. It was conquered by France in 1830, and constitutes its 

5. Fez? Mequinez? Mo "adore and Rabat? Centa? 6. Government? What 
of the war of 1859 ? Algeria.— 1. Where is Algeria? Length and breadth ? 
Area? Of the soil, climate, and products? 2. What occurred in 1830? Of 
Belcd-el-Jerid? 












THE BARBARY STATES. 393 

largest colony. A portion of Beled-el-Jerid has recently been an¬ 
nexed to it. 

3. The population is 2,090,000, of whom 200,000 are French The 
natives were among the most noted pirates of the Barbary States 
In 1815, Commodore Decatur forced them to pay 60,000 dollars as 
an indemnity to the United States; and in 1816, Lord Exmcuth, 
with a British fleet, cannonaded the city of Algiers, and compelled 
them to restore, without ransom, a thousand Christian captives. 

4. Algiers ( ahl-jeerz / ), the capital, lies on the Mediterranean, in 

the form of an 
amphithea tre, 
and presents a 
striking appear¬ 
ance. Its harbor 
is defended by a 
break water,2400 
feet in length. 

5.Constantina, 
the next town in 
size, is on the 
crest of a hill, 
and is strongly 
fortified. It oc¬ 
cupies the site 
of the ancient 
Cirta, and has 
city of Algiers. some remains 

of antiquity. Bona and Oran are the principal seaports. Bona is 
noted for its coral-fishery. 

6. Algeria is governed by a viceroy appointed by France. The 
son of Napoleon III., Emperor of France, has the title of “ King of 
Algeria.” 

TUNIS. —1. Tunis, the smallest of the Barbary States, nomi¬ 
nally dependent on the Turkish Empire, lies .on the Mediter¬ 
ranean Sea, east of Algeria. Its greatest length is about 400 

3. Population ? Of the natives ? What occurred in 1815 ? In 1816? 4. Of 
tho capital? 5. Of Constantina? Of Bona and Oran? 6. Government? 
Tunis. _1. What is said of Tuuis? Length and breadth? Area? 





394 


AFRICA. 


miles, and its average breadth about 160 miles. Area, 70,000 square 
miles,—a little exceeding that of the State of Missouri. 

2. The climate is mild and healthy; the soil is generally fertile, 
and more carefully cultivated than that of any other portion of 
Barbary. Besides the productions common to all the Barbary States, 
copper, lead, silver, and mercury are found. Salt is obtained from 
Lake Lowdeah (low-de'ah). 

3. The population of Tunis is about 2,800,000, consisting of Moors, 
Arabs, Jews, Christians, and negroes. The people are more civilized 
than those of other parts of Barbary. 

4. Tunis, the capital, is on Lake Tunis, which opens to the Medi¬ 
terranean by a narrow passage defended by a fortress. On the op¬ 
posite side of the lake, ten miles distant, are the ruins of Carthage, 
the most renowned city of ancient Africa. Here Louis IX., of France, 
was killed and his army defeated in 1270, while engaged in an 
invasion for the suppression of piracy. Kairwan (kire-wahn'), the 
next town after Tunis in size, is large and flourishing. 

5. The government of Tunis is called a Beylik; the ruler, a Bey. 
(Bey means prince or governor.) Tunis has a constitution by which 
liberty of speech and of religion is guaranteed to the people. 

TRIPOLI.—1. Tripoli, a Barbary State, nominally dependent on 
the Turkish Empire, lies on the Mediterranean Sea, southeast of Tunis. 
On the east and south it is bounded by Sahara. Its length is about 
700 miles, and its average breadth about 150 miles. Barca, on the 
Mediterranean Sea, and Fezzan, an oasis in Sahara, are dependencies 
of this State. Area of Tripoli and Barca, 150,000 square miles,— 
about equal to that of the States of Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. 
Population, with that of Barca, 1,500,000. 

2. Trip / oli has a barren, sandy soil, destitute of rivers and springs. 
A few fertile districts occur along the coast. The climate is subject 
to daily extremes,—hot by day and cold by night. 

3. Tripoli, the capital, is a small, well-built city, on the Mediter¬ 
ranean. Mesurata (mes-oo-r ah'tali) lies on the coast. It has a cara¬ 
van trade with Fezzan, and is noted for its manufacture of carpets. 

2. Climate and soil ? Products? Of salt? 3. Population ? 4. Of the capi¬ 
tal? What ruins? Of Louis IX. ? Of Kairwan? 5. Government? Tripoli. 
—1. What of Tripoli? Length and breadth ? What of Barca? Area? Popu¬ 
lation? 2. Soil? 3. Of the capital? Mesurata? 



SAHARA, OR THE GREAT DESERT. 395 

4. BARCA, a Barbary State, and a dependency of Tripoli, is 
separated from Tripoli by the Gulf of Sidra. It is governed by 
tributary sheiks. The inhabitants are chiefly wandering Arabs. 
It contains the ruins of ancient cities, of which Cyrene (si-re'ne) f 
with its necropolis (city of the dead), is the most interesting. 

5. Derne ( der'neh ), a small seaport on the Mediterranean, sur¬ 
rounded by a fertile country, is the principal town. During the war 
between the United States and Tripoli in 1804r-05, it was captured 
by the American General Eaton. 

BELED-EL-JERID. —1. Beled-el-Jerid (be-led'-el-je-reed'), a Bar¬ 
bary State, is an extensive tract, lying between the Atlas Mountains 
and Sahara, and between Tripoli and Morocco. Area, 140,000 
square miles. A portion of this State has lately been annexed to 
Algeria by France. 

2. Dates are the principal product and the chief article of food. 
They grow upon the fertile spots which occur at intervals among 
arid plains of sand and rock. The inhabitants are chiefly Berbers 
and Arabs, and number 900,000. 

3. Tuggurt' and Laghouat ( lah-gwaht') are the chief towns. From 
Gadames ( gah-dah'mes ), the town next in importance, caravans start 
periodically for Bornou and Timbuctoo, on the southern side of the 
Great Desert. Gadames is inhabited by two distinct tribes, who are 
separated by a wall. 

4. There is no general government; the towns are independent of 
each other. 


SAHARA, OR THE GREAT DESERT. 

Questions on Map No. 40, Sahara. —In what part of Africa is 
Sahara, or the Great Desert ? Bound Sahara. What two ranges of 
mountains in Sahara? Where is Ilmen Peak? In what part is the 
Libyan Desert? Where is the oasis of Tuat ? Air? Bilmah? Tibesty? 
Fezzan ? Augela? Siwah? In what part are the salt-mines of Tau- 
deny, Arouan, Tisheet? Describe Barth’s route over the Sahara from 

4. Barca. —How separated from Tripoli? Of the inhabitants ? Ruins? 5. 
Of the capital? Who captured it? BELED-EL-JERin.— 1. What of Beled-el- 
Jerid? 2. Of dates? Of the inhabitants? 3. Chief towns? Of Gadames? 
4. Of the government? 





Sahara.— 1. What of the Sahara? Length and breadth? Area? 2. Bound¬ 
aries ? What does it form ? 3. What of the desert character of this region ? 

4. What of the surface ? Mountains, &c. ? 


396 AFRICA. 

north to south. Denham and Clapperton's. What is the capital 
of Fezzan? 


GATE TO THE SAHARA. 

1. Sahara, or the Great Desert, is a region of vast extent, occu¬ 
pying the central part of Northern Africa. It stretches from the 
Atlantic Ocean to the valley of the Nile, a distance of 3000 miles, 
and from about the 15th to the 30th degree of north latitude, a dis¬ 
tance of 1000 miles. Area, 2,700,000 square miles,—equal to two- 
thirds of that of Europe. Population 300,000. 

2. The northern and southern boundaries are not definitely known. 
It forms the western portion of the vast rainless region which stretches 
from the Atlantic Ocean across Africa and Asia to the confines of 
Mantchooria, 7800 miles. 

3. The desert character of this region is chiefly owing to the want 
of rain. In the greater part, little or no rain ever falls. Intervals 
of from eight to ten years occur without a shower. 

4. The Sahara is not, as commonly supposed, a level surface wholly 




SAHARA, OR THE GREAT DESERT. 


397 


covered with sand. In parts it is a sandy plain ; in others it consists 
of sand-hills, and in others of rocks, composed of granite mixed with 
quartz, overgrown with bushes and coarse grass, which constitute 
food for the camel. There are two mountain-chains of moderate 
elevation, ranging from east to west, each more than 500 miles in 
length: they are the Hogar and the Black Mountains. 

5. The portion east of Fezzan / and Tibesty is called the Libyan 
Desert. Augela, an oasis, is famous for its dates. 

G. Various tribes wander through the less desert tracts of the 
Sahara; and camels, goats, and sheep glean a scanty subsistence 
from the coarse grasses around the few springs. 

7. The dangers and hardships of travellers in crossing the Sahara 
are very great. They must carry all their provisions, as none are 
found on the route. The wells occur at distances of about eight or 
ten days’ journey ; and in the hottest seasons some are dried up, 
and the traveller dies of thirst. In 1805, a caravan of 1800 camels 
and 2000 men is said to have perished from this cause. 

8. In the sandy tracts, whirlwinds often blow with terrible force, 
darkening the ail* so that the sun cannot be seen. The Arabs call 
the desert “ a sea without waterand the camel is appropriately 
styled “ the ship of the desert.” The wandering tribes are fierce and 
cruel, and attack all travellers who have not the protection of some 
powerful chief. 

9. Notwithstanding these dangers, many caravans cross annually, 
carrying on an extensive trade between Soudan and the countries on 
the Mediterranean. The inhabitants on the west coast plunder 
shipwrecked vessels and enslave their crews. 

10. THE OASES. —In parts, especially west of the Libyan Desert, 
are found fertile tracts, called oases. Of these, Fezzan, Tibesty ( te- 
bes-te'), Bilmah, Air ( ah-eer / ) > Tuat', and Siwah ( se'wah) are the 
principal. They are halting-places for the caravans. Agades is the 
chief town of Air; Aboo, of Tibesty; and Agahbly, of Tuat. 

11. There are mines of rock salt at Tibesty, Taudeny, Aroan, and 
Tisheet. The principal animals found on the borders of the desert 

5. Of tho Libyan Desert? Of Augela? 6. Of tho tribes? 7. Of travelling 
in the Sahara? What occurred in 1805? 8. Of the sandy tracts? What do 

the Arabs call tho desert ? What of tho tribes? 9. Of the caravans ? Of tho 
inhabitants on tho coast ? 10. Of the oases ? Chief towns ? 11. What mines ? 
Animals, Ao. ? Exports ? 


34 




398 


AFRICA. 


are the wild boar, leopard, lion, and ostrich. Ostrich-feathers are 
exported. 

12. The inhabitants are of four types,—Moors, Arabs, Tuaricks 
( too-ah-reeks'), and Tibboos; these are partially changed from the 
original races by some infusion of negro blood, and number 300,000. 

13. The Tuaricks and Tibboos occupy principally the oases near 
the central parts. Some speak dialects of the Arabic, and others of 
the Berber tongue. They are nominally Mohammedans. 

1. FEZZAN, an oasis in the Sahara, lies south of Tripoli, and 
is nominally dependent on the Turkish Empire. Its boundaries are 
not well defined. It is the largest oasis in the Sahara, and is im¬ 
portant as a centre of the caravan trade. 

2. The climate is very hot in summer, and cold in winter. In the 
north the country is mountainous. Dates are the chief food. Some 
corn, barley, a few tropical fruits, and garden vegetables are pro¬ 
duced. The population is about 100,000. 

3. Mourzuk ( moor-zook / ), the capital, is a mud-built town, sur¬ 
rounded by a mud wall. It is near the southern boundary, and 
about 600 miles south of Tripoli. Ghat and Zuela are small towns. 
Sockna, about half-way between Mourzuk and Tripoli, belongs to 
Fezzan. 


THE REGION OF THE NILE. 

Questions on Map No. 40, Region of the Nile.—What coun¬ 
tries does the Region of the Nile include ? Ans. Egypt , Nubia , Abys¬ 
sinia, Kordofan, and Darfur. What sea north? East? What great 
river flows north through this region and empties into the Mediter¬ 
ranean? Where is the Isthmus of Suez? The Nubian Desert? 

Egypt.— Bound Egypt ( see Map No. 41). Where is Lake Karoon ? 
Mareotis ? Gulf of Suez ? Aboukir Bay ? How wide is the Isth¬ 
mus of Suez ? Where is the Suez Canal ? Where and what is the 
capital ? Where is Alexandria ? Rosetta ? Damietta ? Suez ? 
Where are the Pyramids ? Ruins of Thebes ? Luxor ? 

- 12. Of the inhabitants? 13. Of the Tuaricks and Tibboos? Fezzan._1. 

What of Fezzan ? 2. Climate? Products? Population? 3. Of the capital ? 
Ghat and Zuela? Of Sockna? 




REGION OF THE NILE, 


399 


Nubia (Map No. 40). — Bound Nubia. What river flows through 
Nubia? What desert in Nubia? Where is Khartoom? Shcndy? 
Dongola, Old and New? Suakem? Temple of Ebsambul? Abys¬ 
sinia.— Bound Abyssinia. What rivers? Lake? Mountain? Where 
and what is the capital? Where is Antalo? Axum? Massuah? 
Kordofan.— Where is Kordofan ? What river in the east ? What 
is the capital ? Desert north? Country east? Darfur.— Where is 
Darfur? Desert north? Country east? West? What mountains? 
What is the capital? 

The Region of the Nile includes Egypt, Nubia, Abyssinia, Kor¬ 
dofan, and Darfur. With the exception of Abyssinia, it is a dry and 
almost rainless district, nearly destitute of rivers and trees. 


EGYPT. 



TOWER OF PHAROS. 

1. Position and Extent. —Egypt lies in the northeastern part 


Region op tub Nile. —What does the region include? What is said of it? 
Egypt. — 1 . Whero is Egypt? Length and breadth? Area? 





400 


AFRICA. 


of Africa. Its length is about 520 miles, and its breadth about 350 
miles. Area, 180,000 square miles,— nearly equal to that of Central 
America. 

2. Natural Features. —There are no mountains in Egypt; a 
range of hills lies between the Red Sea and the river Nile. The 
surface is generally low and level. Egypt was called by the an¬ 
cients the “ Gift of the Nile,” because the annual overflow of the 
river gives fertility to the soil. 

3. River .—The Nile flows through it from south to north, without 
tributaries. It begins to rise in June. About the end of September 
it usually reaches the height of 24 feet above low water, after which 
it falls slowly. 

4. Soil and Climate .—Rain seldom falls, except in Southern 
Egypt; but as the Nile retires from its annual overflow, it leaves 
an exceedingly fertile soil, which is capable of producing three 
crops of grain annually. The climate is hot and unhealthy during 
the summer, but mild and salubrious during the remainder of the 
year. 

5. Products. —The chief productions are wheat, rice, corn, coffee, 
sugar, indigo, flax, tobacco, opium, and cotton. Agriculture, although 
carried on diligently in Egypt, has not improved for centuries. The 
plough and harrow used are as rude as those represented in the 
ancient pictures. There are manufactures of silk, cotton, and linen 
goods, sugar, tobacco, glass, earthenware, and silver filagree-work. 

6. Population. —The population consists of Turks, Copts, Fellahs, 
and Arabs. The Turks, the ruling people, are comparatively few in 
number. The Copts claim to be the descendants of the ancient 
Egyptians; from them, on account of their superior education, are 
selected the teachers, secretaries, and civil officers. The Fellahs are 
the laborers, and are supposed to be descended from those who 
occupied the same position in ancient times. 

The Fellahs and Arabs constitute the greater portion of the inha¬ 
bitants. The roving Arabs are called Bedouins. The entire popu¬ 
lation is estimated at 2,800,000. 


2. Natural features? What was Egypt called? 3. River? When does it 
uegin to rise, &c. ? 4. Soil? Climate? 5. Products? Of agriculture, <fec. ? 
Manufactures? 6. Population? The Copts? Fellahs? Of Fellahs and Arabs? 
Bedouins ? Number ? 



REGION OF TIIE NILE. 


401 


7. Chief Towns.—Cairo ( ki'ro) is the capital. It is situated on 
the right bank of the. Nile, 100 miles from the sea. It was founded 
by the Saracens a.d. 980, and has long been the most noted city in 
Africa. Its mosques and other public buildings give it a fine ap¬ 
pearance at a distance. The Great Canal distributes the waters of 
the Nile over the city. The streets are narrow, crooked, and dirty. 

8. Alexandria lies on the coast, near the mouth of the western 
branch of the Nile. It was founded by Alexander the Great, about 
332 years b.c. It contained a splendid library, which the Saracens 
are said to have destroyed, a.d. 042. Near Alexandria there was, 
in ancient times, on the island of Pharos, a famous lighthouse, on 
whoso site now stands the castle of Farillon. Alexandria has an 
extensive commerce with Great Britain and Turkey. 

9. Damietta and Rosetta, on the Nile, are small seaports. The 
latter is famous for fine fruit-gardens. 

10. The Bay of Aboukir ( ah-boo-Jccer / ) is noted for the great naval 
battle fought there in 1798 between the French and English, in 
which the latter, under Nelson, were victorious. About the same 



PYRAMID OF CHEOPS, AND SPHINX. 


7 Of Cairo? By whom founded? The Great Canal? 8. Of Alexandria? 
Library? Famous lighthouse? 9. Of Damietta and Rosetta? 10. Bay of 
Aboukir? Of Napoleon L? 

34* 




402 


AFRICA. 


time Napoleon I. inflicted upon the Mamelukes a terrible defeat in 
the battle of the Pyramids, near Cairo. 

11. Siout ( se-ooV ) and Girge {jeer'jeh) are important towns. Suez 
is on the Gulf of Suez: a ship-canal connects it with the Mediter¬ 
ranean Sea. 

12. Antiquities. —The early civilization of Egypt, and its pro¬ 
minent connection with Scripture history, give a twofold interest to 
the remains of antiquity there found by the traveller. 

13. On the left bank of the Nile are the pyramids, 69 in number. 
They are disposed in groups, and extend along the Nile for a distance 
of 60 miles above Cairo. Four are particularly noteworthy. The 
base of the largest (the pyramid of Cheops) {kefops) is 746 feet 
square,—equal to 13 acres,—and about 480 feet high. 

14. The pyramids were built more than three thousand years 
ago, and are supposed to be the tombs of the Egyptian kings. It 
is said that 100,000 men were employed for 20 years in constructing 
the pyramid of Cheops. Two of the principal pyramids have been 
opened, and found to contain sarcophagi. 

15. Not far from the largest pyramid is the Sphinx, a reclining 
figure, with the body of a lion, and the mutilated head, bust, and 
features of an Egyptian woman. It is 60 feet high, and was more 
than half buried in the sand: Belzoni, an Italian savant, had the 
sand cleared away, and found a small temple between the legs of the 
Sphinx, and another in one of its paws. On the paws, several in¬ 
scriptions were traced. It is supposed to have been erected 1446 
years b.c., in the reign of Thotmes III. 

16. There are numerous obelisks, or pointed spires with four sides, 
standing upon pedestals, covered with hieroglyphics. They are chiefly 
monoliths (formed of a single stone). Of these the most noted are the 
two called Cleopatra’s Needles, in the neighborhood of Alexandria. 

One is standing erect amid the ruins of the ancient city; the 
other is prostrate and half buried. They are about eight feet 
square at the base, and sixty-five feet high. 

17. Pompey’s Pillar is a granite monolith, ninety feet high, nine 

- 11. Siout and Girge? Of Suez? Ship-canal? 12. Of early civilization ? 
13. Of pyramids? How large? 14. When built? Of Cheops? Of the two 
principal? 15. Of the Sphinx? Of Belzoni? What further is said of the 
Sphinx? 16. Of obelisks? Two most noted? What further of them? 17. 
Of Pompey’s Pillar? 



REGION OF THE NILE. 


403 


feet square at 
the base, and 
eight at the top. 

It stands among 
the buried ruins 
of palaces and 
temples. 

18. At Thebes 
and Den / derah 
are remarkable 
ruins of ancient 
temples, the 
walls of which 
are covered with 
sculptures and 
bas-reliefs, and 
with numerous 
hieroglyphics. 

The hierogly¬ 
phics were long 
a mystery; but 
through the la¬ 
bors of Cham- 
pollion and of 
other scholars pompey's pillar. 

they have been partially deciphered. 

19. Thebes was one of the most famous cities of ancient times. It 
was at the height of its splendor about 3500 years ago. Its ruins 
comprise vast temples, with colossal statues and colonnades. They 
are near the small villages of Karnak and Luxor. 

20. One of the obelisks, which adorned the entrance to the temple 
at Luxor, a solid shaft of syenite, was conveyed to Paris in 1834, and 
re-erected there in the Place de la Concorde (plahss d’lali kdng-kord'). 

21. Commerce.—Cairo is the centre of an extensive inland com¬ 
merce; caravans travel hence to Nubia, Abyssinia, Darfur, and 
Fezzan. There is also considerable commerce by the Red Sea. 

18. What is said of Thebes and Denderah? Of hieroglyphics? 19. Of 
Thebes? Nenr what? 20. What is said of ono of tho obelisks near Luxor? 
21. Of commerce? 





404 


AFRICA 


22. The Nile has several mouths, all of which, except those ol 
Rosetta and Damietta, are obstructed with sand. A railroad extends 
from Alexandria to Suez through Cairo, and also from Cairo to 
Benisouef ( ben-e-swef'). 

23. Government. —After having undergone many changes of 
government, Egypt was wrested from the power of France by the 
British in 1801, and became a part of the Turkish Empire. In 1811, 
Mehemet Ali [may-liem'et ah'le), a Turkish soldier of fortune, ren¬ 
dered himself independent of Turkey. His government was able 
and judicious; he made extensive conquests, and caused his author¬ 
ity to be respected. He also did much to civilize Egypt by the 
introduction of improvements in the arts and sciences, and by the 
establishment of a good system of schools. The army consists of 
150,000 men, and the navy of several ships-of-the-line and frigates. 

24. Religion. —Since the conquest of Egypt by the Saracens, Mo* 
hammedanism has been the prevailing creed. The Copts are nomi¬ 
nally Christians; they are few in number. All religions are tolerated. 



OVERFLOW OF THE NILE—SUEZ RAILROAD. 


22. Of the mouths of the Nile? Railroads? 23. Of the government? What 
of Mehemet Ali? Army? 24. Religion? 































REGION OF THE NILE. 


405 


NUBIA. 

1. Position and Extent.—Nubia is the extensive region lying, 
between Egypt and Abyssinia, and included between Sahara and 
the Red Sea. It is about 850 miles long, and about 650 miles wide. 
Area, 320,000 square miles,—a little exceeding that of Norway and 
Sweden. It has belonged to Egypt since 1821. 

2. Natural Features.— River, &c. —The Nile flows through its 
entire length. A large portion of the surface is desert. The area 
under cultivation is the valley of the Nile, and is about two miles 
wide. The cataracts of the Nile, twelve in number, are chiefly 
rapids, which obstruct the navigation through nearly the whole 
extent of Nubia. 

3. Soil and Climate. —The soil and products are like those 
of Egypt. The climate, from January to April, is extremely hot. 
The rainy season lasts from June to December. 

4. Population. —The people are handsome, bold, and frank, and 
of purer manners than those of the adjacent countries. They num¬ 
ber 500,000, and are chiefly Mohammedans. The Nubians import 
slaves from the interior of Africa, and sell them to the Egyptians. 
Khartoom' and Shen'dv, on the Nile, arc the principal slave-markets. 

5. Chief Towns. —Dongola (dong'go-lah) was formerly the capital 
of a Christian kingdom. Suakem ( soo-ah'kem ), on the Red Sea, is 
the seaport of Nubia. Pilgrims from the interior sail from this 
port to Arabia. Khartoom is an Egyptian military post, as well as 
an important city; its trade is extensive, and several European mer¬ 
chants reside there. 

The remains of the ancient temples at Ebsambul ( eb-sam-bool') 
are grand and imposing. The statues of the Egyptian kings, if in a 
standing position, would be from 60 to 70 feet high. 


ABYSSINIA. 

1. Position and Extent.— Abyssinia lies south of Nubia. Area, 

about 280,000 square miles,—a little exceeding that of Austria. 


Ncbia. _1. Where is Nubia? Length and breadth ? Area? To whom does 

it belong ? 2. River? Of the cultivated part ? Of the cataracts of the Nile ? 

Soil and climate? 4. Of tho people? Number? Religion? Of slaves? 

What slave-markets? 5. Of Dongola? Suakem? Khartoom? Of Ebsambul? 
Abyssinia. —1. Whore is Abyssinia? Area? 




406 


AFRICA. 


2. Natural Features. —The surface is an elevated table-land, 
with many fertile valleys, drained by numerous rivers, of which the 
Blue Nile is the principal. In the southwest, the surface is moun¬ 
tainous. Abba Yared, the highest peak, has an elevation of 15,200 
feet, and is always covered with snow. Lake Dembea is the prin¬ 
cipal lake. 

3. Soil and Climate .—The soil, especially in the valleys, is 
fertile. Owing to the elevation of Abyssinia, it has a cooler and 
more healthy climate than either Nubia or Egypt. 

4. Products. —Wheat, barley, corn, millet, and teff (a small fari¬ 
naceous grain) are produced. Coffee and cotton are indigenous. 
Rock salt is abundant; some gold is found. Tanned skins^common 
pottery, and coarse cloths are manufactured. In Shoa, cakes of salt 
are used as money. 



NATIVES HUNTING THE HIPPOPOTAMUS. 


7. Chief Towns. —The 

lous city, but has 


5. Animals.— The principal 
wild animals are the lion, ele¬ 
phant, hippopotamus, buffalo, two¬ 
horned rhinoceros, hyena, leopard, 
and antelope. The boa sometimes 
grows to the length of 20 feet. 
Crocodiles infest the rivers. The 
ravages of the locust are terrible. 
Domestic animals abound. 

6. Population.— The popula¬ 
tion, consisting of a mixed race, 
number 3,000,000. They are of 
a nut-brown complexion, with 
regular features, and have some 
claims to civilization, but are bar¬ 
barous and licentious. The brinde 
feast—said to be still of frequent 
occurrence — consists in cutting 
slices of flesh from a live ox, and 
eating them while yet quivering. 


capital is Gondar. It was once a popu- 
greatly declined. Antalo and Axum are con- 


2 Surface? High peak? Lake? 3. Soil? Climate? 4. Products? Mann- 

W™? n 5 ;p ni T S / T' + P ? Ulat i° A n ? Whatof the people? Of the brinde 
least? 7. Of Gondar? Antalo and Axum? Seaport? 





WESTERN AFRICA. 407 

siderable towns. Massuah, the chief seaport, has some commerce 
with Arabia and Egypt. It belongs to the latter. 

8. Government.— Abyssinia was for a long period an absolute 
monarchy, subject to one ruler; but, by internal dissensions and the 
invasion of the Galla tribes, it has been broken up into several 
states, governed by independent chiefs. 

9. Religion. —The religion is a corrupt Christianity: Saturday 
and Sunday are observed as Sabbath-days. Baptism and the Lord’s 
Supper are administered. There are also Mohammedans and Jews. 

KORDOFAN AND DARFUR. 

1. Kordofan / and Darfur (dar-foor / ) lie west of Nubia. They are 
separated by a narrow desert. The former was conquered in 1821 
by tho Pasha of Egypt, to whom it still belongs. Population of Kor- 
dofan, 400,000; of Darfur, 200,000. 

2. Darfur is governed by a Sultan. The people are Arabs and 
negroes, and are all Mohammedans. 

Both countries are dry and sandy, and generally unhealthy for 
white men. Corn, rice, dates, and tobacco are produced. Salt, 
ivory, and ostrich-feathers are the principal articles of trade. Ele¬ 
phants are numerous. 

3. Tendelty is the capital of Darfur. CoVbe is a depot for slaves, 
who are brought from the interior and sold into Egypt and Arabia. 

4. The Shilluks reside on the White Nile; they are blacks of great 
size and strength. Some of the men are from 7 to 7£ feet in height. 

5. The Galla or Orma tribes occupy an extensive region south 
of Abyssinia. They are a robust race, and are noted for desperate 
courage. Their country is called Ormania by the distinguished ex¬ 
plorer Dr. Krapf. 


WESTERN AFRICA. 

Questions on Map No. 40, Western Africa.— What countries 
does Western Africa comprise? Ans. Senegainbia , Sierra Leone , 

8. Government? 9. Religion? Kordofan and Darffr.— 1 . Whero are 
Kordofan and Darfur? Population? 2. Of Darfur? Soil of both countries? 
Products? Animals? 3. Of Tendelty? Of Cobbe? 4. Of Shilluks? 5. Of 
the Galla and Orma tribes ? What of their country ? 




408 


AFRICA. 


Liberia, and Upper and Lower Guinea. Senegambia. —Bound 
Senegambia. What cape on the coast? What three rivers flow 
through it into the Atlantic Ocean? Where is Timboo? Bambouk? 
Bathurst? St. Louis? Where is the French settlement? British 
settlement? Portuguese settlement? Sierra Leone.— Bound Sierra 
Leone. What town in Sierra Leone ? What colony ? 

Liberia.— Bound Liberia. [See Map No. 42.) Where is Liberia 
Bay? Cape Palmas? Cape Mesurado? What two rivers rise in 
Kong Mts. and flow into the Atlantic? Where and what is the 
capital? Where is Harper? New Georgia? Buchanan? Green¬ 
ville? BassaCove? Upper Guinea ( Map No. 40).—Bound Upper 
Guinea. What capes on the coast ? Where is Grain Coast ? Ivory 
Coast? Gold Coast? Cape Coast Castle? Slave Coast? Calabar 
Coast? Bight of Benin ? Gulf of Guinea ? What mountains north? 
What rivers flow into the Atlantic? Where is the State of Ash- 
antee? Capital? State of Dahomey? Capital? State of Yoruba? 
Where is Abeokuta ? Benin ? 

Lower Guinea —Bound Lower Guinea. Where is the Bight 
of Biafra? Great Fish Bay? The Coast? What range of moun¬ 
tains east? What river between Upper and Lower Guinea? On 
the southern boundary of Lower Guinea ? Into what do those rivers 
flow? What other rivers in Lower Guinea flow into the Atlantic? 
Where is the State of Biafra? Of Pongo? Town of Gaboon? State 
of Loango? Towns on the coast of Loango? State of Angola? 
Capital ? State of Benguela? Capital? Where is the Gorilla country? 

1. Western Africa comprises the territory on the west coast extend¬ 
ing from the Great Desert to Nourse ( noors ) River, nearly 4000 miles. 

'2. Its principal divisions are Senegambia, Sierra Leone ( le-o'ne ), 
Liberia, and Upper and Lower Guinea. 

SENEGAMBIA. 

1. Position and Extent. — Senegambia lies on the west coast 
of Africa, south of Sahara. It is about 850 miles in length, and 
500 in breadth. Area, 380,000 square miles,—nearly equal to that 

Western Africa.—1. What does Western Africa comprise ? 2. Divisions? 
Senegambia.—1. Where is Senegambia ? Length and breadth ? Area? Of 
its name? 



WESTERN AFRICA. 409 

of Venezuela in South America. It derives its name from the two 
rivers flowing through the territory, the Senegal and Gambia. 

2. Natural Features. —The Niger [ni'jer) River has its source 
in the mountains of the southern part; the Senegal, Gambia, and 
Rio Grande Rivers flow from east to west, and empty into the At¬ 
lantic Ocean. The eastern and northern parts are generally level. 
The soil is fertile, and the climate is hot. 

3. The principal products are palm-oil, ground-nuts, rice, honey, 
wax, and various gums, of which gum Senegal is noted. Gold and 
ivory are brought from the interior. In Bambouk, gold is said to be 
abundant. 

4. The territory is divided into numerous petty states: the princi¬ 
pal are Foo'ta Jallon 7 , Bambouk, Manding, and Soolimana. The 
people comprise Foulahs, Maud in goes, and Jaloffs. The Foulahs 
have high and marked features, and are of an olive complexion: 
they are mostly horsemen. The Mandingoes and Jaloffs are ne¬ 
groes: they excel in horsemanship and in the use of arms; some 
of them are engaged in trading with interior Africa. Population, 
9,000,000. 

5. Chief Towns. —Timboo and Bambouk are the chief towns in 
the interior. The latter has considerable trade. 

6. On the banks of the Senegal are various French settlements, 
of which St. Louis is the principal. Bathurst, near the mouth of the 
Gambia, is the chief British settlement, On the Rio Grande the 
Portuguese have several trading factories. 

7. Government and Religion. —The governments are despotic 
monarchies, except in Manding; there the people of the various 
towns choose their own rulers. The people are chiefly pagans ; but 
there are many Mohammedans. 

1. SIERRA LEONE is a British colony, upon the Atlantic 
^oast, south of Senegambia. Area, 44,500 square miles. It was 
founded in 1787 by British philanthropists, and was designed to 
suppress the slave-trade, and also to promote the civilization of 

2. Of the Niger River? Other rivers? Surface? Soil and climate? 8. 
Products? 4. How divided? Of the people? The Foulahs? Mandingoes 
and Jaloffs? Number? 5. Chief towns? fi. Settlements? Bathurst? What 
on the Rio Grande? 7. Government? Religion? Sikrra Leone.— 1. 
Where is Sierra Leone? Area? When founded, and for what purpose? 
\Inw inhabited ? 


35 



410 


AFRICA. 


Africa. It is inhabited by negroes of more than a hundred different 
tribes. 

2. The climate is unhealthy for Europeans. Sugar, coffee, corn, 
rice, dates, pepper, indigo, ground-nuts, lemons, oranges, and other 
tropical fruits, are produced. Considerable quantities of palm-oil 
are made. 

3. The number of inhabitants is 60,000, consisting of liberated 
Africans taken from captured slave-ships, and natives who have 
never been enslaved. There are only about a hundred whites, chiefly 
government officers and merchants. 

4. The capital, Freetown, is on the left bank of the Sierra Leone 
River, six miles from the sea, and has some fine public buildings. 
The colony is governed by British laws, and is an annual expense 
to the British government. 

5. Many of the negroes are pagans; butr the whites and those 
natives taught in the schools are Protestants. 

1. LIBERIA, an independent republic, was established in 1821, 
by the American Colonization Society, as a colony for free negroes and 
emancipated slaves from the United States. The population has 
been largely increased by accessions from neighboring tribes who 
have sought the protection of the Liberian government. The terri¬ 
tory extends along the coast from the Gallinas ( gahl-le'nas) River 
to the San Pedro, 420 miles, and from 40 to 50 miles inland. Area, 
30,000 square miles. 

2. The climate is like that of Sierra Leone. The country rises 
gradually from the shore to the interior. Coffee is cultivated. The 
soil is well suited to the growth of cotton and sugar-cane; the other 
products are like those of Sierra Leone. 

3. The population consists of about 15,000 colonists and 60,000 
natives. The tribes in the interior, with whom the government has 
entered into treaty, and whom to some extent it controls, include a 
population of not less than 200,000. 

4. Monrovia is the capital. It has a good harbor and considerable 
commerce. There are a court-house, public library, and several 


2. Climate? Products? 3. Population? Of what does the population 
consist? 4. Capital? IIow governed? 5. Religion? Liberia.— 1 . What 
of Liberia? Where is it? Area? 2. Climate? Soil? Products? 3. Popu¬ 
lation? Of interior tribes? 4. Of the capital? Buildings? Other towns? 



WESTERN AFRICA. 411 

churches and schools. Harper, New Georgia, Buchanan, Greenville, 
and Bassa Cove are small towns, chiefly on the coast. 

5. In 1847, with the consent of the Colonization Society, Liberia 
declared herself an independent republic, with a constitution similar 
to that of the United States. Since then she has maintained her 
nationality, and is exercising a beneficial influence on Western 
Africa. The independence of Liberia is acknowledged by the 
principal powers. 

6. Many of the natives are idolaters; but the colonists are Pro¬ 
testant Christians, and the surrounding tribes are fast being im¬ 
proved by the power of Christianity. 


GUINEA. 

1. Guinea (ghin'ne), divided into Upper and Lower Guinea, com¬ 
prises the extensive coast-region extending along the Atlantic from 
Senegambia to the country of the Hottentots, a distance of nearly 
3000 miles, with an average breadth of 200 miles. Area, 500,000 
square miles. Population, 10,000,000. 

1. UPPER GUINEA includes the territory along the Atlantic 
coast from Senegambia to Biafra. It comprises the Grain, Ivory, 
Gold, and Slave Coasts; also the kingdoms of Ashantee', Dahomey 
( dah-ho'mai /), Yoru'ba, Benin (ben-een'), and others of less note. 

2. The soil is in general fertile. The chief products are tropical 
fruits, cotton, indigo, palm-oil, yams, rice, and Indian corn. Ivory 
and gold are exported. The climate along the coast is unhealthy for 
whites 

3. The great indentation along the coast of Upper Guinea is called 
the Gulf of Guinea. The country rises gradually throughout its 
whole extent to the Kong Mountains, on the north. 

4. The Grain Coast extends nearly 300 miles, and includes the 
central and southern part of Liberia. 

5. The Ivory Coast extends about 200 miles. Ivory is the princi¬ 
pal article of trade. 


5. What occurred in 1847? Since then? 6. Of religion? Guinea.— 1. 
Where is Guinea? Area? Population? UrPEH Guinea.— 1. What docs 
Upper Guinea include? 2. Soil? Products? Climate? 3. Of the Gulf of 
Guinea? Surface? 4. Grain Coast? 5. Ivory Coast? 





412 


AFRICA. 


6. The Gold Coast extends from the eastern boundary of the 
Ivory Coast, east, 300 miles. Gold is found in large quantities in¬ 
land. There are several European forts and factories, founded for 
the purpose of trading with the natives. Of these, Cape Coast 
Castle is the principal British factory; and Christiansborg that 
of Denmark. 

7. The Slave Coast occupies the remainder of Upper Guinea, as 
far as Yoruba. It extends along the Gulf of Guinea 220 miles. 
Here the slave-trade has been more largely carried on than elsewhere. 



ASHANTEE. 


8. ASHANTEE is the largest 
kingdom in Guinea. It lies between 
the Kong Mountains and the sea-coast. 
The manufactures comprise gold orna¬ 
ments, earthenware, cotton goods, and 
ivory. 

9. The inhabitants are negroes. 
They have some knowledge of the 
arts, but are cruel and barbarous. On 
great public occasions, thousands of 
slaves are put to death in the most in¬ 
human manner. Nowhere else, ex¬ 
cept in Dahomey, is human life so 
little valued as in Ashantee. Popu¬ 
lation, about 3,000,000. Coomas / sie is 
the capital. 

10. The government of Ashantee is 
despotic: the people are pagans, with 
a few Mohammedans in the capital. 


11. DAHOMEY lies east of Ashantee. The climate is more 
salubrious than that of other parts of Upper Guinea. The scenery 
is picturesque. 

12. The people are ferocious and warlike, and as cruel as the 
Ashantees. They number about 200,000. Upon the death of the 
king, or of any of the royal family, thousands of human beings are 


6. Gold Coast? Of forts, Ac.? 7. Slave Coast? Ashantee. —8. Of Ashantee? 
9. Of the inhabitants? What is said of them ? Population? Capital? 10. 
Government and religion ? Dahomey.— 11. Of Dahomey ? 12. Of the people ? 
What is said to occur on great occasions ? Capital ? 











WESTERN AFRICA. 


413 


sacrificed. One of these murderous ceremonies took place in the 
year 18G0, and another in 1864. Abomey (ab-o-may') is the capital. 

13. The government is an absolute monarchy. The religion is 
pagan. A portion of the army of Dahomey consists of women, to 
the number of 6000 or 8000; they are well disciplined. 

14. YORUBA and BENIN occupy the remainder of Upper 
Guinea. Through these countries the river Niger flows into the 
Gulf of Guinea. The Bight or Bay of Benin is on the coast. The 
portion of the coast included between the mouths of the Niger is 
called the Calabar Coast. 

15. Abeokuta ( ahb-e-o-Jcoo'tah ), the chief town of Yoruba, is of 
recent foundation, and is said to be the largest negro town in the 
world. American and British missionaries reside there. Benin is 
the capital of Benin. 

16. OTHER STATES. —There are, besides the foregoing, 
numerous petty states, in each of which the ruler or chief is the 
god of his people, and an object of servile worship. 

LOWER GUINEA. 

1. Lower Guinea oxtends along the Atlantic coast from the Niger 
to the Nourse River, and inland to the Crystal and Mocambe Moun¬ 
tains. The sea-coast is called by navigators “The Coast/' 

2. The principal divisions are Biafra, Pongo, Loango, Congo, An¬ 
gola, and Benguela (ben-gay'lah). All these countries were origin¬ 
ally called Congo. They were discovered and claimed by the Portu¬ 
guese more than 350 years ago. At present they are the principal 
mart for the sale of slaves. 

3. The products arc tropical fruits, cotton, sugar, ebony, ivory, 
palm-oil, and logwood. Near the mountains various grains are pro¬ 
duced. The climate is wet during half the year. Violent hurri¬ 
canes are frequent. 

4. The native governments are despotic; the people are idolaters, 
and in many cases, especially in the interior, they are cannibals. 

13. Government? Army? Yoruba and Benin.—14. Of Yoruba and Benin? 
What river? Bay? What is tho coast called ? 15. Of Abeokuta? Of mis¬ 

sionaries? Benin? 16. Of other states ? Lower Guinea.—1. Where is Lower 
Guinea? 2. Principal countries? When and by whom discovered? 3. Pro¬ 
ducts? Climate? 4. Governments, Ac.? 

35* 



414 


AFRICA. 


1. BIAFRA is a small kingdom, extending from the Bight of Bia* 
fra to the Crystal Mountains. Hardly any thing is known about it. 

2. PONGO extends on the Atlantic coast from Biafra to Loango. 
The Gaboon River passes through it. Gaboon, a small French set¬ 
tlement at the mouth of the river, was established in 1845. 

3. Between the years 1856 and 1859, M. du Chaillu ascended the 
Gaboon River, and explored the interior for some distance. Here 
the gorilla, the largest of the ape species, abounds. The Fans and 
other inland tribes are cannibals. Human flesh is bought and sold 
in the markets. 

4. LOANGO lies south of Pongo. Its capital is Loango, on the 
Bay of Loango. The inhabitants, called Bramas, are negroes of the 
darkest color; they are very superstitious. 

5. CONGO, ANGOLA, and BENGUELA extend 800 miles 

along the coast, from Congo 
River to the Nourse. The 
Mocambe Mountains, about 
500 miles from the coast, 
form the eastern boundary. 
Population unknown. 

6. The Congo is the 
largest river; other rivers 
are the Ambriz and Co- 
anza. Inland the coun¬ 
try is almost entirely cov¬ 
ered by a vast forest. The 
elephant, rhinoceros, lion, 
and other animals roam 
through the interior. 

7. These territories (Congo, Angola, and Benguela) have belonged 
to Portugal since the close of the fifteenth century. They were at 
first prosperous, and nearly all the natives became Christians; but 
the prevalence of the slave-trade has almost depopulated the coun- 


1. Biafra? 2. Pongo? 3. What of Du Chaillu? 4. Loango? 5. What of 
Congo, Angola, and Benguela? 6. Rivers? Of the interior? Animals? 7. 
What is said of these territories ? 



AFRICAN LION. 



SOUTHERN AFRICA. 415 

try. The natives are again chiefly pagans, the towns and churches 
are decayed, and nothing flourishes hut the slave-trade. 

8. St. Paul de Loanda, in Angola, is the capital of the Portu¬ 
guese colonies. Its harbor is spacious and well fortified. This place 
was visited in 1854 by Dr. Livingstone, who reported it to be in a 
state of decay. 

9. St. Salvador, the chief town in Congo, lies 200 miles in the 
interior. It contained at one time 20,000 inhabitants. Its present 
condition is unknown. 

10. St. Felipe de Benguela, a small town, is the most important 
one in Benguela. The inhabitants are chiefly slave-traders. 

11. The people of these colonies are nearly all negroes. They are 
of the darkest hue, and are regarded as the most indolent and 
stupid of their race. Abroad, the slaves from this region are called 
Congoes. 

12. These colonies are the remains of the vast extent of coast dis¬ 
covered in the year 1487, and claimed by the Portuguese, extending 
from the Great Desert to the Cape of Good Hope. 


SOUTHERN AFRICA. 

Questions on Map No. 40, Southern Africa.— Name the coun¬ 
tries included in Southern Africa. Ans. Country of the Hottentots, 
Cape Colony, Caffraria, Natal, Orange River Free State, Trans Vaal 
Republic, Country of the Zoolus, and the region extending to 9 degrees 
south latitude. Where is the country of the Hottentots ? Where is 
the State of Cape Colony? What capes south? Where is Table 
Bay? St. Helena Bay? What river in the north ? What mountains? 
Where is Table Mountain? What and where is the capital ? Where 
is Constantia? 

Where is the State of Caffraria? Natal? Orange River Free 
State? Trans Vaal Republic? Zoolu country? Bechuana country? 
Makololo? Balobale? Balonda? Where is Lake Ngami? Nyassi? 


8. Of St. Paul (le Loanda? 9. St. Salvador? 10. St. Felipe de Benguela? 
11. Of the people? 12. Of these Portuguese colonies? 





416 


AFRICA. 


Where is the Zambezi River? Zouga River? Congo River? The 
Kalihari Desert? 

1. Southern Africa includes the Hottentot country, Cape Colony, 
Caffraria, Natal ( nah-tahV ), the Orange River Free State, the Trans 
Yaal ( vali’l ) Republic, and the country of the Zoolus; also the ex¬ 
tensive region in the interior explored by Dr. Livingstone, as far 
north as 9 degrees south latitude. 

This latter division includes the countries of the Bechuanas, Mako- 
lolos, Balondas, and other tribes. Area, 1,850,000 square miles. 
Population, 10,000,000. 

1. The HOTTENTOT COUNTRY, on the west coast of South¬ 
ern Africa, is inhabited by the Damaras, Namaquas, Corannas, and 
Griquas ( gre'kwaz ). 

2. They are a low and brutish race, generally inoffensive, but 
filthy in person and habits. Protestant missionaries reside among 
these tribes, and have in a measure improved them. 

3. The Bushmen, or wild Hottentots, are found near the Orange 
River. They go almost naked, and take refuge in caves or holes in 
the ground. In war and the chase they use poisoned arrows. In 
order to approach and destroy the ostrich, they disguise themselves 
in imitation of that bird. 

4. The Griquas are a half-breed race, being the offspring of Dutch 
men and Hottentot women. 

5. The Hottentots live in villages called kraals, arranged in the 
form of a semicircle. The huts are shaped like bee-hives. Those 
who live in the colony are employed as servants, and are honest 
and faithful. Their speech is a jargon, of which Dutch is the chief 
element. 

1. CAPE COLONY is an extensive territory, belonging to Great 
Britain, forming the southern extremity of Africa. Its greatest 
length is about 600 miles, and its greatest breadth 400 miles. Area, 
200,000 square miles,—equal to that of France. It was colonized 
by the Dutch in 1650, and conquered by the British in 1806. 

2. The Snow Mountains traverse the territory from west to east; 

Southern Africa. —1. What does it include? Hottentot Country.— 1. 
Of the Hottentot country ? 2. Of the people ? 3. The Bushmen ? 4. Griquas ? 
5. How do the Hottentots live? Speech? Cape Colony.— 1. To whom does 
Cape Colony belong? Where is it? Length and breadth? Area? When 
colonized, &c. ? 2. Mountains ? Surface ? Table Mountain ? Rivers ? 



SOUTHERN 'AFRICA. 


417 



their loftiest peaks are 10,000 feet high. The country rises in ter¬ 
races or plateaus from the coast to the base of the Snow Mountains. 
Table Mountain, near Cape Town, on the coast, rises 3600 feet above 
the sea. The Orange is the principal river; the others are unim¬ 
portant. 

3. The climate is temperate and healthy, but the changes are 
sudden; there are occasionally great droughts. The soil is fertile; 
but the crops are frequently destroyed by the continued heat and 
want of rain. 

4. European grains and fruits are produced. A sweet wine, called 
Constantia, is made upon two farms near Table Mountain. It can 
be made nowhere else. Sheep, chiefly of the imported Merino breed, 
are numerous. The native Cape sheep are noted for their large and 
ponderous tails/ Wool is exported. 

5. The inhabitants are Dutch, English, Caffres ( kaf'ferz ), Hot¬ 
tentots, and 
Malays; they 
number about 
200,000. The 
farmers or 
Boers (Dutch 
for farmers) 
are called, ao- 
cording to 
their particu¬ 
lar occupa¬ 
tion, Cattle, 

Grain, or Wine 
Boers. 

6. Cape 
Town, the 
capital, is on 
Table Bay, 
and is strong- 

„ . , , x CAPE TOWN—TABLE MOUNTAIN. 

ly fortified. It 

is an important stopping-place for vessels sailing to and from India. 


3. Climate? Soil? 4. Products? Wine? Of sheep? 5. Of the inhabitants ? 
What called ? 6. Of Cape Town ? 






418 


AFRICA. 


7. The religion is chiefly Protestant. There are a few Roman 
Catholics. The Malays, who were formerly slaves, are Moham¬ 
medans. 

8. CAFFRARIA, the original seat of the Caffres, was once a 
large territory. It is now limited to a small district east of Cape 
Colony, and extends about 160 miles along the coast. 

9. The inhabitants, called Caffres, are an athletic, vigorous people, 
of a deep brown color, and with frizzled but not woolly hair. The 
men engage in war and hunting, while the women till the soil and 
build huts. 

10. NATAL, a British colony, on the southeast coast, was settled 
in 1845, and is a dependency of the Cape Colony Government. The 
inhabitants are principally Boers from the Cape. They are sober, 
industrious, and hospitable. 

11. ORANGE RIVER FREE STATE lies between the two 
head branches of the Orange River, and west of Natal and Caffraria, 
from which it is separated by the Draakberg Mountains. The peo¬ 
ple, who are principally Bechuanas and Dutch Boers, declared their 
independence of Cape Colony in 1854. 

12. TRANS VAAL REPUBLIC lies north of Orange River 
Free State and west of the Zoolu country. Like Natal, it is inhabited 
chiefly by Boers. Their independence has lately been acknowledged 
by Great Britain. 

13. ZOOLU COUNTRY lies north of Natal, and is a part of 
the old territory of Caffraria. The Zoolus are the independent Caf¬ 
fres. They are, according to Dr. Livingstone, honest and peaceable. 

14. BECHUANA (bet-choo-ah'nah) COUNTRY lies west of 
Orange River Free State and Trans Vaal Republic. In the western 
part is the desert of Kalihari. The people are similar in appear¬ 
ance and customs to the Caffres, but more civilized. Many live in 
towns, and cultivate the earth. 

Lake Nga'mi, in the central part, is a fresh-water lake, about 


7. Religion? 8. What of Caffraria? 9. Of the inhabitants? 10. Of Natal? 
11. Of Orange River Free State? 12. Ot Trans Vaal Republic? 13. Zoolu 
country? 14. Bechuana country? Of the people? OfLakeNgami? 



EASTERN AFRICA. 419 

160 miles in circuit. The Zouga River flows from it to the eastward, 
and is lost in p, swamp. 

15. North of Bechuana country lies the extensive region, reaching 
to about 9 degrees south latitude, which has been brought into notice 
by Dr. Livingstone. It includes the countries of the Makololo, Balo- 
bale, Balonda, and other tribes. Through it flows the Zambezi ( zam - 
baifze) River, with its tributaries, into Mozambique ( mo-zain-beek ') 
Channel. Lake Nyassi, discovered by Livingstone in 1859, is in the 
northeastern part of this territory. 


EASTERN AFRICA. 

Questions on Map No. 40, Eastern Africa.— Name the coun¬ 
tries included in Eastern Africa. Ans. Country of the Soniaulies, 
Zanguebar, and Mozambique. Where is the country of the So- 
maulies? What gulf north? Ocean east? Countries west? Strait 
north? Capes east? In what part is the district of Adel? Ajan? 
Magadoxo? Name the towns on the coast. Where is Ilurrur? 

Where is the State of Zanguebar? What mountains west? What 
three islands near the coast? What rivers flow into the Indian Ocean? 
What and where is the capital? What are the people called who 
live near the coast? Ans. Suwahillies. Bound Mozambique. What 
channel between Mozambique and Madagascar Island ? What cape 
on the coast ? What rivers flow through Mozambique into Mozam¬ 
bique Channel? What and where is the capital? Name three towns 
on the coast. Where is Sena? Tete? 

1. Eastern Africa comprises the region lying along the coast of 
the Indian Ocean from Abyssinia to the Zoolu country, extending 
3000 miles in length, and inland to the Mountains of the Moon. 

It includes the country of the Somaulies, Zanguebar, and Mo¬ 
zambique. Area 550,000 square miles. 

2. The inhabitants are of various races: the Somaulies, Arabs, 
and Suwahillies are Mohammedans; the Portuguese of Mozambique 

15. What north of Bechuana country? What does it include? Lake? 
Eastern Africa. —1. What does Eastern Africa comprise? What countries? 
2. What of the inhabitants? Population? 




420 


AFRICA. 


are Christians; the negroes and Gallas of the interior are pagans. 
The population is estimated at 500,000. 

3. The soil in the river-valleys is fertile; the climate is hot, and 
unhealthy for whites. The chief articles produced, and, to some 
extent, exported, are myrrh, frankincense, various gums, coffee, 
ostrich-feathers, gold-dust, and ivory. 

4. The COUNTRY OF THE SOMAULIES comprises 
various districts, of which little is known. A portion of the inte¬ 
rior is occupied by the Gallas. The Somaulies are a mixed race, 
with bright olive complexion, oval features, and straight hair. 

5. Adel is the northernmost district. It is a marshy country, 
abounding in cattle. The commerce is chiefly with Arabia and 
India. Zeyla ( zay'lah ), on the Gulf of Aden, is a small town, be¬ 
longing to the Pacha of Egypt. Ber / bera is a depot for caravans. 
Ajan is known to us only by report, and has no good harbor. 

6. Hurrur is in the interior, 200 miles from the coast. The people 
of this district have a metallic currency of rude coinage. Its chief 
town is Hurrur. Magadoxo lies on both sides of the Haines River, 
and is subject to Zanzibar. Magadoxo, the chief town, is divided 
into two parts, one of which consists of tombs. 

7. ZANGUEBAR lies on the Indian Ocean, and extends from 
the coast to the Mountains of the Moon. 

8. The rivers are numerous, but of moderate length. The moun¬ 
tain-peaks ofKenia and Kilimanjaro 7 have been recently discovered. 
They are about 20,000 feet high, and their summits are perpetually 
snow-capped. The interior is little known. The population consists 
of negroes, divided into various tribes, who are frequently at war 
with each other. 

9. The inhabitants of the coast districts are Arabs and Suwa- 
hillies. The latter are similar to the Somaulies, but are of darker 
complexion. The Arabs are the maritime traders. Both races are 
Mohammedans. 

10. The coast districts once belonged to Portugal, but are now 
governed by the Sultan of Zanzibar, an Arab prince, who became 

3. Soil? Climate? Products? 4. Of the Somaulies? What is said further 
of them? 5. Of Adel? Zeyla? Berbers,? Ajan? 6. Hurrur? Magadoxo? 
7. Zanguebar? 8. Rivers? Mountains? Of the interior? 9. Inhabitants? 
10. Of the coast districts ? 



EASTERN AFRICA. 


421 


the sovereign in 1856, on the death of his father, the late Imam 
of Muscat. His dominions extend 1400 miles, from Cape Bassas to 
Cape Delgado. The chief towns on the coast are Brava, Lamoo, 
Melinda, Mombas, and Quiloa. They are all small, but were once 
important. 

11. Zanzibar, on Zanzibar Island, is the capital. It has con¬ 
siderable commerce with Aden, Muscat, Bombay, the United States, 
England, and France. 

12. MOZAMBIQUE lies on Mozambique Channel, opposite the 
island of Madagascar. It extends a distance of 1300 miles. Ivory, 
slaves, gold, manna, and coffee are exported. 

13. Mozambique, the capital, is built on an island at the entrance 
of a fine harbor. It wf<s once important, but is now in a state 
of decay. The other principal settlements are Inhambane ( ecn-am- 
balm'), Sofala, and Quilimane (ke-le-mah'nat/), on the coast, and Sena 
(say'nah) and Tete ( tay'tay ), on the Zambezi River. 



CITY OF MOZAMBIQUE. 


11. Towns on the coast? Zanzibar? 12. Of Mozambique? Products? 13. 
Capital ? Other settlements ? 

36 






422 


AFRICA. 


14. Mozambique is a Portuguese colony; but beyond the imme¬ 
diate settlements on the coast the Portuguese possess little authority. 
It is all that is left to Portugal of the vast territory she once pos¬ 
sessed, stretching from Cape Guardafui ( gwar-dah-fwe / ) to the Cape 
of Good Hope, more than 4000 miles in extent. The negroes are 
pagans, except in and around the towns, where some have become 
Roman Catholics. 


CENTRAL AFRICA. 

Questions on Map No. 40, Central Africa. —Name the coun¬ 
tries included in Central Africa. Ans. Soudan and Ethiopia. 
Soudan. —Bound Soudan. What great river in the west and cen¬ 
tral part? Rivers in the east? What mountains in Soudan? Has 
Soudan any sea-coast? What three lakes? Where in Soudan is 
the State of Kaarta? Its capital? State of Bambarra? Its capital? 
Timbuctoo? Its capital? Kong? Borgoo? Houssa? Its capital? 
Bornou? Its capital? Begharmi? Its capital? Waday? Its capital? 

Ethiopia. —Bound Ethiopia. What mountains west? East? 
What peaks in the Mountains of the Moon? Where is Lake Victoria 
Nyanza? Who discovered it, and when? Where Is Lake Tangan¬ 
yika ? Who discovered it, and when? Where is Lake Luta Nzige? 
Lake Baringa? Describe Burton and Speke’s route from Zanzibar 
to Tanganyika. Speke’s route to Victoria Nyanza. What point 
south did Petherick reach ? 

1. Central Africa comprises the interior countries south of Sa¬ 
hara, and north of the region explored by Dr. Livingstone. The 
chief divisions are Soudan and Ethiopia. Area, 2,900,000 square 
miles. Population, 12,500,000. 

2. SOUDAN [soo-dahn') sometimes called Nigritia ( ne-grish '- 
yah), is an extensive region of Central Africa, bounded north by the 
Sahara, east by Darfur and the White Nile, south by Ethiopia and 
Guinea, and west by Senegambia. Area, 1,400,000 square miles. 

3. The river Niger flows through a considerable portion of the 

14. What further of Mozambique ? Religion ? Central Africa.— 1. What 
does Central Africa comprise ? Chief divisions ? Soudan.— 2. Where is Sou¬ 
dan ? 3. Of the river Niger? 




CENTRAL AFRICA. 


423 


territory into the Gulf of Guinea. Lake Tchad ( chahd) is a large 
lake in Soudan. Other lakes are Fittre ( Jh'tray ), eastward of the 
Tchad, and Debo, an expansion of the Niger River. 

4. The region along the Niger was explored first in 1795, and 
again in 1805 by Mungo Park, and the lower portion in 1830 by the 
brothers Lander. 

5. Between the years 1822 and 1826, Denham and Clapperton, two 
British travellers, crossed the Sahara from Tripoli to Soudan, and 
explored the kingdoms of Bornou and Houssa ( hou/sali ). They 
were the discoverers of Lake Tchad. 

6. From 1849 to 1856, Dr. Barth, and Messrs. Richardson, Over- 
weg, and Vogel, crossed the desert through Fezzan and Air, tra¬ 
velled eastward to Lake Tchad, and, like their predecessors, explored 
the kingdoms of Houssa and Bornou. Dr. Barth visited Timbuctoo 
on the west, Begharmi on the east, and Adamaua on the south. 

7. The people of Soudan consist of negroes, Fellatahs, and Shouas. 
The Fellatahs are similar to the Foulahs of Senegambia. They 
commenced their conquests on the Niger about the year 1800. 
Their dominions extend from Sahara southward to the river Tsadda, 
and from Senegambia to Darfur. They are Mohammedans, and 
active in the propagation of their faith. The Shouas of Bornou are 
of a light olive complexion, and chiefly of Arab origin. 

8. Soudan consists of numerous kingdoms, of which little is 
known. The soil varies in fertility. Indian corn, cotton, and indigo 
seem to be everywhere cultivated. The climate is hot, and unhealthy 
for whites. The principal countries are Kaarta (kai^tah), Bam- 
bar'ra, Timbuc'too, Kong, Borgoo', Houssa, Bornou ( bor-noo'), Beg¬ 
harmi (bay-gar'me), and Bergoo or Waday. There are also various 
petty states. The population is estimated at 10,000,000. 

9. KAARTA lies at the extreme northwest. Kemmoo is its 
capital. Gold is found in small quantities. 

10. BAMBARRA lies southeast of Kaarta. Sego, the capital, 
on the Niger, is a large walled town, and has considerable trade. 


4 What of the region along the Niger? 5. Of Denham and Clapperton? 
6. Dr. Barth and others ? 7. Of the people of Soudan ? Of their dominions? 

Religion, Ac. ? 8. What of the kingdoms ? Soil, Ac. ? Principal countries ? 

9. Of Kaarta? Capital, Ac.? 10. Bambarra? Capital? Other towns? 




424 


AFRICA. 


Jenne and Silla are important towns. Bambarra is noted for the 
production of shea, or vegetable butter. 

11 TIMBUCTOO lies northeast of Bambarra, and south of Sa¬ 
hara. The Niger flows through it; but, except on the borders of the 
river, the country is dry and sterile. Timbuctco is the capital; it was 
once a large and flourishing town, and has still considerable trade. 

12. KONG, north of the Kong Mountains, lies between Bambarra 
and Ashantee. It is known to us only by native report. 

13. BORGOO lies east of Kong. Boussa, Youri, and Rabba, on 
the Niger, are the chief towns. Mungo Park was murdered at Boussa 
in the year 1805. The circumstances of his death are not well known. 

14. HOTJSSA lies northeast of Borgoo. The inhabitants, chiefly 
Fellatahs, are more civilized than the surrounding population; they 
pay great attention to agriculture and manufactures. 

15. Sackatoo, the capital of Houssa, is on an affluent of the Niger. 
The British traveller Clapperton died in its vicinity in 1827. Kano is 
noted for its manufactures of cotton, gold, iron, and leather. Katsena 
withstood a siege of seven years from the Fellatahs. Zaria is the 
largest town in Houssa. 

<D 

16. Houssa carries on some commerce with Guinea on the south, 
and across the desert, through Air and Fezzan, with Tripoli and 
other Barbary States. 

17. BORNOU lies east of Houssa, and is an extensive plain; in 
the eastern part is Lake Tchad, 200 miles long by 60 or 70 wide. 
During the rainy season the lake overflows its borders, and renders 
a large portion of the territory very fertile. The people of the islands 
in Lake Tchad are independent; they are called Biddoomahs. 

18. The people of Bornou are excellent horsemen. In common 
with the people of Begharmi, Waday, and Darfur, they wear iron 
armor in war. They carry on some trade with Tripoli in slaves, 
ivory, and ostrich-feathers. Kouka is the capital. New Birnie is 
the residence of the Sultan. 

11. Timbuctoo ? River? Capital? 12. Kong ? 13. Borgoo? Chief towns? 

Of Mungo Park? 14. Houssa? 15. Of the capital ? Of Clapperton ? Kano? 
Katsena? Zaria? 16. Of commerce? 17. Bornou? What of Lake Tchad? 
Of islands in Lake Tchad? 18. Of the people? Trade? New Birnie? 



THE ISLANDS OF AFRICA. 


425 


19. BEGHARMI lies southeast of Lake Tchad. Its inhabitants 
are similar to those of Bornou, with whom they are frequently at 
war. The capital is Masena. 

20. WAD AY, or BERGOO, is an extensive territory, north of Be- 
gharmi. It is known only by native report. Wara is the capital. 
Dr. Yogel is supposed to have been put to death here. 

ETHIOPIA. 

21. Ethiopia was the name given by the ancients to the region south 
of Egypt. As discoveries have been made, the territory has become 
more and more restricted. At present the name is applied to the 
unexplored region of Central Africa on both sides of the equator. 
Area, 1,500,000 square miles. Population estimated at 2,500,000. 

22. It is the field of the explorations of Beke, Petherick, and 
others, who entered it from the north. Petherick explored the coun¬ 
try to Mundo, near the equator, and made important discoveries. 

23. Between the years 1857 and 1859, Captains Burton and Speke, 
of the British East India army, travelled inland from Zanzibar Island 
until they reached Uniamesi, or the Land of the Moon. 

24. Here, in 1859, Burton discovered Lake Tanganyika, 600 miles 
from the coast, and due west from Zanzibar. To the northeast, 200 
miles distant, Speke, the same year, discovered Lake Victoria Ny- 
an / za. These are both fresh-water lakes of considerable size. 

25. It is claimed by Speke—although the claim is not altogether 
allowed by other explorers—that Victoria Nyanza is the source of 
the Nile. Further explorations are now (1865) in progress. 

26. Except the Gallas, in the northeast, the inhabitants of Ethiopia 
are negroes: they are ignorant, cruel, debased, and superstitious. 
The Niam-Niams, lately visited by Mr. Petherick, are cannibals. 


THE ISLANDS OF AFRICA. 

1. Most of the islands lying around and near Africa belong to 
European powers. _ 

19. Bcgharmi? Capital? 20. Waday, or Bergoo? Capital? Of Dr. Vogel? 
Ethiopia.— 21. What of Ethiopia? 22. Of explorations ? 23. What occurred 

between 1857 and 1859 ? 24. Of Burton and Speke? 25. What is claimed by 

Speke ? 26. Of the inhabitants ? Islands of Africa. —1. What of the islands 
of Africa? 


36* 




426 


THE ISLANDS OF AFRICA 


2. The Az'ores, or Western Islands, near the northwestern 
coast, belong to Portugal, and comprise four principal islands. The 
climate is delightful, and the soil fertile. Oranges and lemons are 
largely exported. Population, 214,000. 

3. The Madeira Islands, between the Azores and the coast, com¬ 
prise the two principal islands of Madeira and Porto Santo, and the 
three islets called the Desertas. They belong to Portugal. The cli 
mate is particularly beneficial for invalids. 

4. The island of Madeira is volcanic and mountainous, and has 
many.picturesque bays, enclosed by towering cliffs. Its capital is 
Funchal ( foon-shaliV ). 



FUNCHAL, MADEIRA ISLAND. 


These islands are remarkable for the fine wines, bearing their name, 
with which for a long time they supplied the world. At length the 
vines became diseased; in 1852 they were rooted up, and since that 
the wine-crop has ceased. The population of the islands is about 
110 , 000 . __ 

2. The Azores? How many? What farther of the Azores? 3. The Ma- 
deiras? To whom do they belong, <fcc.? 4. Surface? Capital? For what 
remarkable ? Population ? 














THE ISLANDS OF AFRICA. 427 

5. The Canary Islands, south of the Madeiras, comprise seven 
principal islands, and belong to Spain. 

6. The most striking natural feature is a volcanic peak on the 
island of Teneriffe ( ten-er-if '), called the Peak of Teneriffe. It is 



PEAK OF TENERIFFE, CANARIES. 


12,000 feet high, and is visible for a long distance at sea. The cli¬ 
mate is variable, and at some seasons unhealthy. Canary-birds 
abound. Sugar and cochineal are the chief products. Population, 
260,000. Santa Cruz, on Teneriffe, is the principal town. 

7. The Cape Verd Islands, south of the Azores, are a group of 
ten islands, belonging to Portugal. The soil is adapted for pas¬ 
turage. The climate is very hot, and rains are not frequent. Amber 
is found on the coasts. Population, 90,000. St. Jago is the principal 
island. The island of Fogo contains an active volcano. 

8. Fernando Po, Prince’s, St. Thomas’, and Annobon are 
small islands, near the northern coast of Lower Guinea. The first 
belongs to Spain j the others to Portugal. 

5. The Canaries? To whom do they belong? 6. Natural features? Climate, 
Ac.? Population? Principal town ? 7. CapeVerds? Population? Of St. Jago? 
Of Fogo? 8. What of Fernando Po, P*ince’s, St. Thomas’, and Annobon ? 




428 


THE ISLANDS OF AFRICA, 


9. Ascension is a small island in the South Atlantic Ocean. 
It belongs to Great Britain. 

10. St. Helena lies in the Atlantic Ocean, south of Upper Guinea. 
It belongs to Great Britain. It is noted as the place of exile of Na¬ 
poleon I. after his defeat at Waterloo in 1815. He died here in 
1821. Kising abruptly from the ocean, St. Helena presents to the 
eye of the mariner the appearance of a dark-gray pyramidal mass, 
with no signs of vegetation. Population, 5000. 

11. The Ethiopian Archipelago includes Madagascar and seve¬ 
ral groups of islands on the east coast of Africa, south of the equator. 

12. Madagascar is separated from continental Africa by the 
Mozambique Channel. It is about 1000 miles long, with an average 
breadth of 250 miles. Area, 240,000 square miles. 

13. A lofty mountain-range traverses the island from north to 
south. The climate on the coast is hot and unhealthy; in the inte- 



9. Ascension? 10. St. Helena? For what noted ? Describe it. Population? 
11. The Ethiopian Archipelago? 12. Madagascar? 13. Mountains? Cli¬ 
mate ? What further of Madagascar ? 

















THE ISLANDS OF AFRICA. 429 

rior it is cooler. Several unsuccessful attempts have been made 
by the French to settle the coast. The people are very cruel. 

14. The inhabitants of Madagascar excel in manufactures of 
iron and carpets. The late king, Kadama, protected Europeans. 
Tananarivon, near the centre of the island, is the capital, and con¬ 
tains (1866) seven Christian churches. Population of Madagascar, 
4,700,000. 

15. The Mascarenha ( mohs-kah-ren'yah ) Islands, east of Mada¬ 
gascar, comprise Bourbon, Mauritius (matv-rish'yus) or the Isle of 
France, and others. They are fertile and flourishing. In Bourbon 
are several volcanic peaks, of which the highest rises 10,000 feet 
above the level of the sea. One of the volcanoes in constant eruption 
serves as a lighthouse. St. Denis is the capital of Bourbon Island. 
Population, about 110,000. Mauritius, or the Isle of France, is 
similar in character to Bourbon. It is noted as the scene of the 
touching story of “ Paul and Virginia/ 7 It belongs to Great Britain, 
having been captured from France in 1810. Population, 170,000. 

16. The Seychelles ( say-sheeV ) form a group in the Indian 
Ocean. They consist of thirty small islands, all dependencies of 
Mauritius. Cotton and the double coeoanut are produced. 

17. The Comoro Islands lie off the coast of Mozambique. The 
people are Arabs and negroes. Each island is governed by its own 
Sultan, except Mayotta, which was annexed to France in 1841. 
Population, 80,000. 

18. Soc / otra, near Cape Guardafui, is a rocky island, noted for its 
trade in aloes. It belongs to Zanzibar. 

19. Pemba, Zanzibar', and Monfia ( mon-fe'ah ) lie near the 
coast of Zanguebar. They are all subject to Zanzibar. Zanzibar 
produces sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmegs. The city of Zanzi¬ 
bar is the capital of the Zanzibar dominions. It has an extensive 
commerce, and a population of 150,000. 

14. Manufactures? Of Kin" Radama? Capital? Population? 15. The 
Mascarcnhas ? Of Bourbon Island? St. Denis? Population? Of Mau¬ 
ritius? For what noted? To whom does Mauritius belong? Population? 
lf>. The Seychelles ? 17. The Comoros? Of the people? Government, <tc.? 

Population ? 18. Soootra? 19. Pemba, Zanzibar, and Monfia? Of Zanzibar? 
City of Zanzibar? 





430 


OCEANICA. 


OCEANICA. 



CORAL ISLAND. 


Questions on Map of Oceanica, No. 43.— Between what paral¬ 
lels of latitude does Oceanica principally lie? Meridians of longitude? 
What tropic passes through Oceanica near the north ? Near the south ? 
Through what three large islands in Malaysia does the equator pass? 
In what ocean does Oceanica lie? Ans. Pacific Ocean. Near what 
grand division is Malaysia? Where is Australasia? Polynesia? 
Which of the three divisions of Oceanica includes the largest por¬ 
tion of the Pacific ? Which the next ? Which the least ? Which 
is the largest island in Oceanica ? What is Australia often called ? 
Ans. A continent. 

Malaysia.— Which is the largest island in Malaysia ? The next ? 
Which is the most northern? Where is Java? Celebes? Where 






OCEANICA. 


431 


are the Spice Islands? The Philippines? What strait between 
Sumatra and Malacca? Sumatra and Java? Borneo and Celebes? 
What sea west of Borneo and the Philippines ? 

Australasia. —Which is the largest island in Australasia? The 
next? Where is Tasmania? New Zealand? Norfolk? New Cale¬ 
donia? New Hebrides? Solomon’s Archipelago? New Georgia? 
New Britain? New Ireland? What strait between Australia and 
Papua? Between Australia and Tasmania? Where is the Coral 
Sea? Where is the Gulf of Carpentaria? Cape York? Sandy 
Cape? Cape Chatham? Northwest Cape? Cape Bougainville? 
How many divisions or colonies in Australia ? Name them. 

Where is Melbourne ? Sidney ? Brisbane ? Adelaide ? Perth ? 
Hobart Town? What tropic passes through Australia? What cape 
north of New Zealand? ( Map No. 44.) Where is the Bay of Plenty ? 
What strait between the two large islands of New Zealand? Where 
is Auckland? New Plymouth? Wellington? ChristChurch? 

Polynesia.— Which is the largest island in Polynesia? Which is 
the farthest north? Farthest east? Farthest south? Farthest west? 
Where is Magellan’s Archipelago? Anson’s Archipelago? Central 
Archipelago? Mendana’s Archipelago? Where are the Ladrone 
Islands? Caroline Islands? Friendly Islands? Navigators’ Islands? 
Cook’s Islands ? Society Islands? Austral Islands? Pearl Islands? 
Where is Georgian Island? Pitcairn? Gambier? Easter? St. 
Paul’s? America? Christmas? Philadelphia? Where are the 
Sandwich Islands ? Which is the largest of the Sandwich group ? 
Name other islands of this group. What is the capital of the Sand¬ 
wich Islands? Ans. Honolulu. On what island is it situated? 

1. Oceanica is- the name of that division of the earth which in¬ 
cludes all the islands of the Pacific Ocean between Asia, the Indian 
Ocean, the Antarctic Ocean, and America. 

2. It is divided into Malaysia, Australasia, and Polynesia. Ma¬ 
laysia is so called because it is chiefly inhabited by the Malay race; 
Australasia, because it is south of Asia; and Polynesia, because it 
consists of many islands. The area of the land-surface is about 
4,500,000 square miles. The estimated population is 25,705,000. 


Oceanica. — 1. What is said of Oceanica? 2. How divided? Why is Ma¬ 
laysia so called? Australia? Polynesia? Area? Population? 




432 


OCEANICA. 


MALAYSIA. 



1. Position and Extent.— Malaysia includes the islands of 
Borneo, Sumatra, and Java (known as the Sunda Islands), the 
Philippines, Celebes, Banca, and the Moluccas (known as the Spice 
Islands), with some smaller groups and islands. Area of all the 
islands, 760,000 square miles. 

2. Natural Features. —These islands lie principally under or 
near the equator, and are very similar in many particulars. The 
climate is hot, but is tempered by sea-breezes, and by the moun¬ 
tains, which abound in all the principal islands. 

3. The vege¬ 
tation is luxu¬ 
riant, and the 
products are 
valuable. 
Beasts of prey 
and venomous 
reptiles 
abound. The 
elephant of Su¬ 
matra is large 
and fierce. The 
orang-outang is 
found in this 
island and in 
Borneo; the 
tiger and wild 
peacock, in the 
forests of Java. 

4. Products. 
— Tropical 
fruits and vege¬ 
tation of nearly 
every variety 

GATHERING EDIBLE BIRDS'-NESTS IN JAVA. are found in 


Malaysia.— 1. What does Malaysia include? 2. Natural features? 3. Of 
vegetation? Beasts, reptiles, <fcc. ? 4. Products? Of Sumatra? Of Java? 
Of edible birds’-nests? Of the Spice Islands? 





MALAYSIA. 


433 


Malaysia. Sumatra is noted for pepper, gutta-percha, camphor, and 
ivory; and Java, for coffee, sugar, indigo, and edible birds’-nests. This 
singular product is so much prized as a delicacy by the Chinese that 
fine specimens sell for their weight in silver. Cloves, nutmegs, mace, 
and other products are exported from the Spice or Molucca Islands. 

5. Minerals. —In Borneo gold and diamonds are found. Gold 
is obtained in Sumatra and the Philippines, and tin in Banca. Some 
of the islands abound in coal. 

6. Population. —There are two native races, the Malay or yellow, 
and the Papuan or black race; the latter are so called from being 
found principally in Papua or New Guinea. With these are mingled 
a few Chinese and European settlers, Dutch, Spaniards, British, and 
Portuguese. The population of Malaysia is estimated at 23,000,000. 

7. Government. —There are colonial governments in all the Eu¬ 
ropean colonies; but the natives are divided into numerous inde¬ 
pendent tribes, each ruled by its own chief. 

8. Religion. —In many of the islands, Mohammedanism is pro¬ 
fessed ; but it is mingled with debasing rites and superstitions. 

BORNEO. —9. Borneo, next to Australia, is the largest island in 
the world ; it is 2400 miles in circumference, and lies on both sides of 
the equator. Area, 300,000 square miles. The Dutch own the southern 
and western portions, the British the northwest, and the Sultan of 
Sooloo the northeast. The Dyaks, a barbarous people, who reside 
mostly in the interior, preserve and keep as trophies the heads of the 
enemies whom they kill in battle. Population, 3,000,000. 

10. Chief Towns. —The Dutch settlements on Borneo are Sam¬ 
bas' and Pontianak' on the west coast, and Banjarmassin ( ban-yar- 
mas-sin ') on the south. The chief British settlement is Sarawak'. 
Brunai (broo-ni') is the capital of a native State attached to Great 
Britain. Labuan ( lah-boo-ahn '), an island on the northwest coast, 
belongs also to Great Britain, and abounds in coal. Victoria is the 
chief town of Labuan. 

SUMATRA. —11. Sumatra, next to Borneo, is the largest of the 
Sunda Islands, and is more than a thousand miles in length. Area, 

5. Of minerals? 6. Of the population? Number? 7. Government? 8. 
Religion? 0. Of Borneo? Area? Of the Dutch ? Of the Dyaks? Popu 
lation? 10. Dutch settlements? British settlements? Capital? Of Labuan 
Island? 11. Of Sumatra? Of mountains? 

37 



434 


OCEANICA. 


150,000 square miles. A chain of volcanic mountains extends, chiefly 
along the west coast, from one extremity to the other; the loftiest peak 
is 15,000 feet high. Dense forests cover a large portion of the island. 

12. About one-half of Sumatra is subject to the Dutch. Among 
the interior tribes the Battas possess the art of writing, but are so 
barbarous that they eat at their feasts the bodies of persons con¬ 
victed of crimes, and of enemies captured in war. This practice is, 
however, declining under the civilizing influence of the Dutch. 

13. The principal settlements of the Dutch are at Padang and 
Palembang. Acheen is the capital of a small native State, of the 
same name, in the north. Population of Sumatra, 4,500,000. 

JAVA. —14. Java lies southeast of Sumatra, and is separated from 
it by the Strait of Sunda. It is about 680 miles in length. Area, 
50,000 square miles. It belongs to the Dutch. A range of moun¬ 
tains extends throughout the island; in which are eight active vol¬ 
canoes, the highest being 12,300 feet. 

15. A small valley in the interior, called the “ Poison Valley,” is 
covered with the bones of men and animals that have incautiously 
entered it and have been destroyed by the carbonic acid gas with 
which it is filled. Population of Java, 9,500,000. 

16. Batavia is the capital of Java; it is also the metropolis of the 
Dutch possessions in the East. 

BALLY, LOMBOC, SXJMBAWA, JEENDANA, FLORIS, 
and TIMOR. 17. The islands of Bally, Lomboc, Sumbawa, Jeen- 
dana, and Timor lie east of Java. They belong to the Dutch, ex¬ 
cept the eastern half of Timor, which belongs to Portugal. Timor 
is a fertile island, with about 200,000 inhabitants. The islands of 
Eloris and Solor belong to Portugal. Sumbawa contains the vol¬ 
cano of Tomboro, next to Cotopaxi the most terrific in the world. 
The noise of the eruption in 1815 is said to have been heard at the 
distance of 840 miles. 12,000 of the inhabitants of the island were 
destroyed. 

CELEBES.— 18. Eastward of Borneo, and on the equator, lies 
Celebes, an irregular-shaped island, consisting of four peninsulas. 

12. To whom is Sumatra subject? Interior tribes ? 13. Dutch settlements ? 
Capital? 14. Of Java? Length? Mountains? 15. Of Poison Valley ? 16 

Capital? 17. Of Bally, Lomboc, Sumbawa, Ac.? Of Timor? Of Floris and 
Solor? Of Sumbawa? 18. Of Celebes? The badeau-tree? Of health? 
What Dutch settlement? 



AUSTRALASIA. 


435 


Area, 70,000 square miles. The badeau-tree, which produces the 
well-known Macassar oil, is found in the forests. Here Europeans 
enjoy better health and live to a greater age than in any of the adja¬ 
cent islands. Macas'sar, a Hutch settlement, is in the southern part 
of the island. Population of Celebes, 2,000,000. 

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.— 19. The Philippine Islands belong 
partly to Spain; they lie northeast of Borneo, and consist of two 
large and more than a thousand small islands. They are moun¬ 
tainous and volcanic, and are subject to the ravages of violent and 
devastating typhoons, or hurricanes. The soil is prolific, and yields 
the choicest products of the torrid zone. Area, 120,000 square miles. 

20. Manilla, the capital of the Philippines, is noted for its trade in 
hemp, tobacco, and cigars. Population of the Philippines, 3,000,000. 

NETHERLANDS INDIA, or DUTCH INDIA.— 21. The 

group of islands in Malaysia owned by the Dutch, including the 
greater portion of Borneo, Sumatra, Java, Celebes, Banca, the Spice 
or Molucca Islands, the western half of New Guinea, and some 
smaller islands, are called Netherlands India, or Dutch India, and 
are the most populous and wealthy of the Oceanic islands. The 
population is estimated at 17,500,000. 


AUSTRALASIA. 

Australasia includes the islands of Australia, Tasmania, New 
Zealand, Papua or New Guinea, and various smaller islands. (For 
limits, see map No. 43.) 

AUSTRALIA.—1. Position and Extent. —This is the largest 
island in the world, and is sometimes called a continent. It extends 
2520 miles from east to west, and 19G0 from north to south. Area, 
3,120,000 square miles,—equal to five-sixths that of Europe. 

2. Australia belongs to Great Britain, and is divided into six 
colonies,—Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, North Australia, 


19 . Of the Philippine Islands? Natural features ? 20. Capital? 21. Nether¬ 
lands India, or Dutch India? Population? Australasia. —What does Aus¬ 
tralasia include ? Australia.— 1. What of Australia ? Length and breadth ? 
Area? 2. How divided? By whom discovered? What occurred in 1835? 
Of Tasmania? 




436 


OCEANICA. 


South Australia, and West Australia. It was discovered by the 
Dutch in 1605, and by them called New Holland. In the year 1835 
the name was changed, by act of the British Parliament, to Australia. 
Tasmania ranks also as an Australian colony. 

3. Natural Features.— Mountains. —There are three ranges 
of mountains; the Blue is the principal. On the eastern and 
southeastern coasts the land is fertile and the climate healthy The 
interior has of late been partially explored. It is reported to be 
for the most part flat and sterile, with occasional patches of fertile 
soil, and with little water. 

4. There are few rivers of note; the Murray, including the Dar¬ 
ling, is navigable 1500 miles for small-sized steamers. 

5. Products.—Only a small portion of Australia is yet settled, 
and agriculture is on a limited scale. The chief employment is 
sheep-farming. Cattle and horses abound. The most useful grains 
and products of the temperate zones are cultivated. 

6. Minerals.—Australia is one of the richest gold-countries in 

the world. The 
most valuable 
mines lie west 
of Sydney, in 
New South 
Wales, and 
north of Mel¬ 
bourne, in Vic¬ 
toria. Copper, 
iron, and coal 
are found in 
various quar¬ 
ters. 

7. The princi¬ 
pal animals are 
the kangaroo, 
of several dif¬ 
ferent species, 
and the platy- 

3. Mountains? Of the eastern and southern coasts? Interior, Ac. ? 4. 

Rivers ? 5. Products ? 6. Minerals ? 7. Animals ? 



CITY OF SYDNEY. 

















AUSTRALIA. 


437 


pus, or duck-bill animal. The wild dog, or dingo, is fierce, and 
destructive to sheep and cattle. 

8. The peculiarities of Australia are remarkable. The native 
flowers have no fragrance; the birds do not sing. There are black 
swans, white eagles, pears with the stem at the larger end, trees 
that shed bark instead of leaves, aud bees that do not sting. In 
nearly every thing it is different from other countries. 

9. Population. —The aborigines belong to the Papuan negro 
race, and are supposed to number 50,000. The white population 
in 1861 amounted to 1,381,000. 

10. Chief Towns. —The capital of the province of Victoria is 
Melbourne ( meVbum ); it is the largest city in Australia, and is the 
chief depot of the gold region. In 1858, upwards of sixty millions 
of gold was 
ex p o r ted, 
principally 
to England. 

Sydney, the 
next city in 
population, 
is the capital 
of the pro¬ 
vince of New 
South Wales; 

Brisbane, of 
the province 
of Queens¬ 
land ; Ade¬ 
laide,ofSouth 
Australia; 
and Perth, of 
W est Aus¬ 
tralia. 

11 Gee- CITY OF MELBOURNE. 

long ( ghe-long / ), Paramatta, Windsor, Gladstone, Albany, and Free- 
mantle are the other principal towns. 

12. Government. —Each of the Australian colonies has a gov- 


8. Of the peculiarities of Australia? 9. Population? 10. Of Melbourne? 
Sydney? Brisbane? Adelaide? Perth? 11. Other towns? 12. Government ? 

37 







438 


OCEANICA, 


ernor appointed by the crown, with a Council and House of Repre^ 
sentatives. New South Wales was until 1841 a penal settlement, to 
which convicts were sent from the mother-country. 

13. Religion.—All the religious sects found in Great Britain are 
represented here. There is no established religion. 

TASMANIA. —1. Tasmania lies south of Australia, and is 
separated from it by Bass Strait, 120 miles wide. It was first 
settled as a convict or penal colony in the year 1803, and was used 
for that purpose until 1854. Area* 28,000 square miles. 

The inhabitants, among whom are many convicts and their de¬ 
scendants, number 100,000 ; they are principally employed in sheep¬ 
farming. Hobart Town is the capital. 

NEW ZEALAND. —2. New Zealand consists of the large islands 
of New Ulster and New Munster, and the smaller one of New Leinster. 
Area, 95,000 square miles. In soil and climate these islands re¬ 
semble Australia. Auckland, in New Ulster, is the capital. The 



AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND. 


13. Religion? Tasmania.—1. Where is Tasmania, &e. ? First settled as 
what? Of the inhabitants? New Zealand. — 2. What of New Zealand? 
Area? Soil and climate? Capital? Chief settlements in New Ulster? In New 
Munster ? Population ? What are the natives called, &c. ? Railroad ? 
















AUSTRALASIA. 


430 


other chief settlements are New Plymouth, Napier, and "Wellington, 
in New Ulster, and Nelson, Littleton, and Pieton* in New Munster. 
The population in 1861 numbered 120,000. The natives are called 
Maories; they tattoo their bodies in a fanciful manner. 

A railroad has lately been built in New Zealand, and is in success¬ 
ful operation. 

3. New Zealand is antipodal to England: day and night in the 
two countries, therefore, are opposite to each other, noon in Lon¬ 
don being midnight in New Zealand. The seasons are also re¬ 
versed, the summer months being December, January, and February. 

PAPUA, or NEW GUINEA. —1. Papua, or New Guinea, ranks 
next in size to Borneo. It extends 1200 miles from east to west. 
Area, 260,000 square miles. The western half of this island belongs 
to the Dutch. 

The inhabitants are chocolate-colored, frizzly-headed negroes. The 
Malay word Papua means “ frizzly” or “ cri8p-haired. ,, 

Papua has been very little explored. It is said to yield gold. The 
bird of paradise, so noted for its fine plumage, is found here. 

NEW BRITAIN, AND OTHERS. —2. New Britain, New 
Ireland, New Georgia, Solomon’s Archipelago, Louisiade ( loo-e-ze - 
ad,') Archipelago, the islands of New Hebrides and New Caledonia, 
extend from near the equator to the tropic of Capricorn, in a line 
2000 miles long from northwest to southeast. They are imperfectly 
known, but are believed to be mostly fertile and well inhabited. 
The people belong to the Papuan race. 

3. On New Caledonia there is a recent French settlement, and 
the island is now attached to France. There are numerous detached 
islands in Australasia, of which little is known. The most easterly is 
Chatham Island, and the most southerly Antipodes Island, so named 
because it is, like New Zealand, antipodal to England. (See map No. 
43, Oceanica.) _ 

3. What further is said of New Zealand? Papua, or NrwGuinea. —1. What 
of Papua? Extent? Area? To whom does the western half belong ? Of tho 
inhabitants ? What further of Papua? What bird? 2. New Britain and 
Others. —New Britain, New Ireland, New Georgia, and others ? How known? 
Race? 3. Of New Caledonia? Detached islands ? Most easterly? Southerly? 
Of Antipodes Island ? 



440 


OCEANICA. 


POLYNESIA. 

1. Position and Extent. —Polynesia, the most extensive division 
of Oceanica, includes the largest number of islands and island-groups 
in the Pacific Ocean. Area of land-surface, 150,000 square miles. 

2. The principal island-groups of Polynesia are the Sandwich, 
Mendana, Friendly, Feejee, Society, and adjacent islands, Caroline, 
and Ladrone. 

3. Products. —The chief products are cocoanuts, yams, the bread¬ 
fruit, and other tropical fruits. 

SANDWICH ISLANDS.— 4. The Sandwich Islands were dis¬ 
covered by Captain Cook, in 1778. They are mountainous, and contain 
several active volcanoes, of which Mauna Loa ( mow'nah lo'ah), on 
Hawaii ( hah-wi'ee ), is the highest peak, being 14,000 feet high. 
Kirauea ( Jce-rdw-ay'ah ), on the same island, is a low, flat crater, filled 
with ponds of liquid lava. 

5. These islands comprise the kingdom of Hawaii. Honolulu, on 
the island of Oahu ( wah'hoo ), is the capital. The government is a 
limited monarchy, with a native king. By means of missionaries, 
chiefly from the United States, the inhabitants of all these islands 
have been converted to Christianity. Population in 1823, 140,000; 
in 1853, 73,000. There is a constant decrease in the number of the 
people. 

MENDANA ARCHIPELAGO.— 6. The Marquesas ( mar - 
kay'sas) and Washington Islands lie south of the equator, and form 
the Mendana Archipelago ; they are high and mountainous, with a 
rich, productive soil. The inhabitants are a handsome, robust race, 
but savage and warlike. The Marquesas Islands belong to France. 

FRIENDLY ISLANDS.— 7. The Friendly Islands comprise 
several groups. They were called Friendly from the apparent 
kindness of the natives to Captain Cook; but they afterwards 
proved treacherous. 

Polynesia.—1. What is said of Polynesia? 2. Principal island-groups? 3. 
Products? 4. Sandwich Islands? Volcanoes? 5. What do the Sandwich Isv 
lands comprise? Capital? Government? Religion? Population? 6. Of the 
Mendana Archipelago? Of the people? To whom do the Marquesas belong? 
7. Of the Friendly Islands ? Why so called ? 



POLYNESIA. 


441 


FEEJEE ISLANDS. —8. The Feejee Islands are a volcanic 
group, 154 in number. They are very fertile in tropical products. 
The inhabitants are estimated at about 107,000; some are savage 
and warlike, and some have been converted by the missionaries. 
These islands, in 1861, were ceded by the chiefs to Great Britain. 

SOCIETY ISLANDS.— 9. The Society Islands are a lofty 
volcanic group. Tahiti ( tah-he'te ), orOtaheite (o-tah-he'te), the “gem 
of the Pacific,” is the largest. It is the most fertile and beautiful 
of all the Polynesian islands. The population is about 10,000, and 
is decreasing. It belongs to France. 

CAROLINE ISLANDS.— 10. The Caroline Islands comprise 
a number of small groups and islands that extend 2000 miles east¬ 
ward from the Philippines. They are claimed by Spain; but that 
power has no settlement on any of them. The climate is mild and 
agreeable. The inhabitants are of Malay origin, and are mostly 
fishermen. 

LADRONE ISLANDS. —11. The Ladrone Islands belong to 
Spain. They are a group of 20 small islands, 5 of which are inha¬ 
bited. They extend GOO miles north of the Carolines. These islands 
are of volcanic origin, and are fertile and well wooded. On Guahan, 
the southernmost island, is a smaU fortified town. 

12. Of the other groups little of importance is known. In some 
the natives are very barbarous; in others they have been more or 
less improved by the missionaries. 

13. There are numerous detached islands, of which but little 
is known; they arc Pitcairn, St. Paul, Christmas, Massachusetts, 
Philadelphia, Buckle, and others. Easter is the farthest east and 
Mellish tho farthest north of the Polynesian Islands. 

8 Of the Feejee Islands? Population? Of the people? To whom ceded? 
9 Of the Society Islands? Largest? What of Otaheite? Population ? To 
whom does it. belong? 10. Of Caroline Islands? By whom claimed? Climate? 
Of the inhabitants? 11. Of the Ladrone Islands? Of (luahan? 12. Other 
groups 7 13. Of detached islands? Farthest east? Farthest north? 



442 


ANTARCTICA. 


ANTARCTICA. 

1. ANTARTICA, or THE ANTARCTIC CONTINENT.— 

Since the year 1819, various portions of land, lying on or near the 
Antarctic Polar Circle, have been discovered by American, British, 
French, and Russian navigators. They are supposed to be the 
advanced northern points of a mass of land lying around the south¬ 
ern pole. They are cold, frozen regions, constantly covered with 
ice and snow, entirely void of vegetation, and without inhabitants. 

2. The largest known portion of land lies about 2000 miles south 
of Australia; it was discovered by the American Exploring Expedi¬ 
tion in the year 1840. In extent it is about 1700 miles from east to 
west. Victoria Land, South Shetland, Graham’s Land,' and En- 
derby’s Land are the next largest portions. 

3. On Victoria Land, discovered in 1841 by Captain J. C. Ross, a 
British navigator, is an active volcano, Mount Erebus, 12,400 feet 
high. This is the most southern point yet reached, being about 840 
miles distant from the pole. 

Antarctica.— 1. What is said of Antarctica? What are these discoveries 
supposed to be? What is said of these regions? 2. What of the largest known 
portion? By whom discovered? How long ? What other lands ? 3. Of Vic¬ 
toria Land ? How far from the south pole? 
















POPULATION OF THE PRINCIPAL CITIES IN TIIE 
WORLD, FROM THE LATEST AUTHORITIES, 

IN EVEN THOUSANDS. 


NORTH AMERICA. 

British America. 


Montreal, C. E. 102,000 

Quebec, C. E.62,000 

Toronto, C. W.45,000 

St. John, N. B. 37 ,coo 

Halifax, N. S.28,000 

Hamilton, C. W.20,000 

Ottawa, C. E.15,000 

Kingston, C. W.14,000 

United States. 

New York, N. Y.806,000 

Philadelphia, Pa.566,000 

Brooklyn, N. Y.267,000 

Baltimore, Md.21 3,000 

Boston, Mass.178,000 

New Orleans, La.169,000 

Cincinnati, 0 .162,000 

St. Louis, Mo.161,000 

Chicago, Ill.110,000 

Buffalo, N. Y.82,000 

Newark, N. J.72,000 

Louisville, Ky.70,000 

Albany, N. Y.63,000 

Washington, D. C.62,000 

San Francisco, Cal.57,000 

Providence, R. 1 .51,000 

Pittsburgh, Pa.50,000 

Rochester, N. Y.49,000 

Detroit, Mich.46,000 

Milwaukee, W'is.46,000 

Cleveland, O. 44 » 000 

Charleston, S. C.41,000 

New Haven, Conn.40,000 

Troy, N. Y.....40,000 

Richmond, Va.38,000 

Lowell, Mass. 37 »°°° 

Hartford, Conn.30,000 

Mobile, Ala.30,000 

Jersey City, N. J.30,000 

Alleghany City, Pa.29,000 

Syracuse, N. Y .29,000 

Portland, Me.27,000 

Cambridge, Mass.27,000 

Roxlmry, Mass.26,000 

Worcester, Mass.25,000 

Reading, Pa.24.000 

New Bedford, Mass.23,000 

Salem, Mass.23,000 

Savannah, Ga.23,000 

Memphis, Tenn.23,000 

Utica, N. Y.23,000 

W'ilmington, Del.22,000 

Dayton, O.21,000 

Manchester, N. II.21,000 

Lynn, Mass. 20,000 


Paterson, N. J.20,000 

Indianapolis, Ind.19,000 

Petersburg, Va.19,000 

Trenton, N. J.18,000 

Lancaster, Pa.18,000 

Lawrence, Mass.18,000 

Nashville, Tenn.17,000 

Bangor, Me.17,000 

Oswego, N. Y.17,000 

Kingston, N. Y.17,000 

Covington, Ky.17,000 

Taunton, Mass.16,000 

Springfield, Mass.16,000 

Newburg, N. Y.16,000 

Fall River, Mass.15,000 

Norwich, Conn.15,000 

Poughkeepsie, N. Y.15,000 

Camden, N. J.15,000 

Norfolk, Va.15,000 

W heeling, W\ Va.15,000 

Staunton, Va.15,000 

Peoria, Ill.15,000 

Newburyport, Mass.14,000 

Chelsea, Mass.14,000 

Smithfield, R. 1 .14,000 

Bridgeport, Conn.14,000 

Newtown, N. Y. 14,000 

Lockport, N. Y.14,000 

Harrisburg, Pa.14,000 

Toledo, 0 .14,000 

Quincy, Ill.14,000 

Dubuque, Iowa.14,000 

Sacramento City, Cal...14,000 

Hempstead, N. Y.13,000 

Augusta, Ga.13,000 

New Albany, Ind.13,000 

North Providence,R. 1 .12,000 

Yonkers, N. Y.12,000 

Elizabeth, N. J.12,000 

New Brunswick, N. J...12,000 

Alexandria, Va..12,000 

Evansville, Ind.12,000 

Concord, N. II.11,000 

Nashua, N. II.11,000 

Gloucester, Mass.11,000 

Haverhill, N. II.11,000 

Newport, R. 1 .11.000 

New London, Conn.11,000 

Auburn, N. Y.11,000 

Flushing, N. Y....11,000 

Cortland, N. Y.11,000 

Newport, Ky.11,000 

Fort W'ayne, Ind.11,000 

St. Paul, Minn.11,000 

Mexico. 

Mexico, City of.205,000 

Guadalaxara.90,000 

Puebla.85,000 


Guanaxuato.49,000 

San Luis Potosi.40,000 

Colima.32,000 

Queretaro....30,000 

Zacatecas...25,000 

Merida. 20,000 

Central America. 

New Guatemala.40,000 

Leon..30,000 

San Jose.20,000 

St. Salvador.18,000 

West Indies. 

Havana.200,000 

Puerto Principe.45,000 

Matanzas.45,000 

Kingston.36,000 

St. Jago de Cuba.30,000 

Bridgetown, Barba- 

does.19,000 

St. Domingo.15,000 

St. Johns, P. R.13,000 

Trinidad....13,000 


SOUTH AMERICA. 

United States of Colombia. 


Bogota.45,000 

Popayan.20,000 

Panama.20,000 

Carthagena.17,000 

Socorro.12,000 

Mompox.10,000 

Aspinwall.6,000 

Venezuela. 

Caraccas.50,000 

Valencia.20,000 

Maracaybo.18,000 

Barcelona.15,000 

Cumana.10,000 

Lagnayra.8,000 

Merida.6,000 

Ecuador. 

Quito.76.000 

Guayaquil.25,000 

Cuenca.20,000 

Guiana. 

Georgetown.26,000 

Paramaribo.20,000 

Cayenne.6,000 

Peru. 

Lima.100,000 

Cuzco.46,000 


443 





















































































































































444 


POPULATION OF THE 


Arequipa. 35 ?°°° 

Guamanga.25,000 

Huanta.25,000 

Callao.9,000 

Bolivia. 

La Paz.77,000 

Cochabamba.41,000 

Sucre.24,000 

Potosi.23,000 

Chili. 

Santiago.72,000 

V alparaiso.50,000 

Quillota.10,000 

Coquimbo.8,000 

Brazil. 

Rio Janeiro.297,000 

Bahia.180,000 

Pernambuco......60,000 

Maranham.30,000 

San Paul.25,000 

Villa Bella.20,000 

Para.20,000 

Natal.10,000 

San tar em.10,000 

Argentine Confederation. 

Buenos Ayres.200,000 

Cordova.25.000 

San Juan.20,000 

Corrientes.16,000 

Catamarca.12,000 

Tucuman.11,000 

Salta.11,000 

Mendoza.10,000 

Parana.10,000 

Concepcion.8,000 

Santa Fe.8,000 

Paraguay. 

Concepcion.16,000 

Asuncion.15,000 

Uruguay. 

Montevideo.46,000 


EUROPE. 

Norway. 


Christiania.39,000 

Bergen.26,000 

Drontheim.16,000 

Stavanger.12,000 

Drammen.10,000 

Christiansund.10,000 

Frederickshald.8,000 

Sweden. 

Stockholm.125,000 

Gottenburg.42,000 

Malmb.22,000 

N orr kj opi n g.22,000 


Carlscrona.16,000 

Gefle.12,000 

Upsal.10,000 

Eussia. 

St. Petersburg.527,000 

Moscow.378,000 

Odessa.110,000 

Warsaw.105,000 

Kichineff.94,000 

Saratov.84,000 

Riga.74 5 ooo 

Kiev.74,000 

Wilna.61,000 

Kazan.60,000 

Berditchev.58,000 

Kharkov.5 3,1000 

Astrahkan.45,000 

Voronej.44,000 

Cherson.40.000 

Sebastopol.40.000 

Tula.38,000 

Novgorod.38,000 

Jaroslav.38,000 

Samara.38.000 

Orel.36,000 

Kalouga.36,000 

Zhitomeer.34,000 

Tambov.34,000 

N icolaieff..33,000 

Vitebsk.31,000 

Denmark. 

Copenhagen.15 5,000 

Odense.14,000 

Aarhuus.11,000 

Aalborg.10,000 

Bavaria. 

Munich.168,000 

Nuremberg.7 3,000 

Augsburg.49,000 

Wurzburg.41,000 

Ratisbon.30,000 

Bamberg.26,000 

Furth.21,000 

Ingolstadt.20,000 

Hanover. 

Hanover. .80,000 

Hildesheim.18,000 

Osnaburg.18,000 

Luneburg.16,000 

Celle.15,000 

Saxony. 

Dresden....146,000 

Leipsic.86,000 

Chemnitz.56,000 

Zwickau.23,000 

Freyberg.19,000 

Glaucliau.19,000 

Wurtemberg. 

Stuttgard.69,000 

Ulm.23,000 


! Esslingen.16,000 

Iieilbronn.16,000 

Free Cities. 

Hamburg.176,000 

Bremen.104,000 

Frankf ? t-on-the-Main.88,ooo 
Lubeck.51,000 

Switzerland. 

Geneva.42,000 

Basle.38,00 o 

Berne.29,000 

Lausanne.21,000 

Zurich.20,000 

St. Gallon.15,000 

Lucerne.12,000 

N eufchatel.11,000 

Saxe-Weimar. 

Weimar.15,000 

Eisenach.13,000 

Schleswig-Holstein. 

Altona.46,000 

Flensburg.20,000 

Iyel.18,000 

Sleswick.12,000 

Hesse-Cassel. 

Cassel. 39,000 

Ilanau.17,000 

Hesse-Darmstadt. 

Mentz.41,000 

Darmstadt.29,000 

Offenbach.19,000 

Worms.11,000 


Eeuss-Greitz. 


Gera.16,000 

Greitz.14,000 

Anhalt. 

Dessau.16,000 

Bernburg.11,000 

Baden. 

Carlsruhe.27,000 

Mannheim.27,000 

Freiburg.17,000 

Heidelberg.16,000 

Pforzheim.14,000 

Holland. 

Amsterdam.262,000 

Rotterdam.115,000 

The Hague.86,000 

Utrecht.58,000 

Groningen.39,000 

Leyden.37,000 

Haarlem.30,000 

Maestricht.29,000 

Arnhem.28,000 

Leuwarden.25,000 

Bois-le-Duc.24,000 























































































































































PRINCIPAL CITIES IN THE WORLD 


445 


Dordrecht. 


Nymwegen. 


Delft. 


Zwolle. 


Deventer. 


Tilburg. 


Helder. 


Schiedam. 


Middelburg. 


Belgium. 


Brussels. 


Ghent. 


Antwerp. 


Ligge. 


Bruges. 


Mechlin. 

.35,oco 

Louvain. 

....33,000 

Tournay. 


A erviers. 


Mons. 


Namur. 


St. Nicolas. 


Court ray. 


Alost. 


Lokeren. 


Ypres. 


Ostend. 


Lierre. 


England. 


London. 

3,015,000 

Liverpool. 


Manchester. 

.. 350,000 

Birmingham. 


Leeds. 


Sheffield. 


Bristol. 


Salford. 


Newcastle. 

.. 110,000 

Bradford. 


Hull. 


Portsmouth. 

....95,000 

Preston. 


Sunderland. 


Brighton. 


Norwich. 

....75,000 

Nottingham. 

....75,000 

Oldham. 


Bolton. 

...71,000 

Leicester. 


Blackburn. 


Plymouth. 


Wolverhampton. 

...61.000 

Bath. 


Stockport. 

...55,000 

York. 


Devonport. 

...51,000 

Scotland. 


Glasgow. 

..424.000 

Edinburgh. 

.175,000 

Dundee. 


Greenock. 




Leith. 


Perth. 



Ireland. 


Dublin.j 18,000 

Belfast..120,000 

Cork.79,000 

Limerick...45,000 

; Waterford.27,000 

Galway.25,000 

Kilkenny.21,000 

Drogheda..17,000 

Carrie kierg us.10,000 

France. 

Paris.1,697,000 

Lyons.319,000 

Marseilles.261,000 

Bordeaux.163,000 

Nantes.114,000 

Rouen.103,000 

St. Etienne.92,000 

Toulouse.85,000 

Toulon.85,000 

Strasburg.83,000 

Havre.75,000 

Lille.72,000 

Brest.68,000 

Amiens.59,000 

Nismes.58,000 

Metz.57,ooo 

Rheims.56,000 

Montpellier.52,000 

Angers.52,000 

Limoges.51,000 

Avignon.51,000 

Versai 11 es.40,000 

Cherbourg.30,000 

Spain. 

Madrid.476,000 

Barcelona.253,000 

Seville.152,000 

Valencia.145,000 

Malaga.113,000 

Murcia.110,000 

G ran ad a.1 o 1,000 

Saragossa.83,000 

Cadiz.72,000 

Reus.25,000 

Portugal. 

Lisbon.225,000 

Oporto.87,000 

Braga..20,000 

Coimbra.19.000 

Setubal (St. Ubcs).14,000 

Elvas.12,000 

Austria. 

Vienna.560,000 

Prague.143,000 

Pesth.132,000 

Lemberg.70,000 

Trieste....66,000 

Grata.64,000 

Szegedin.63,000 

Verona.60,000 | 

Brlinn.50,000 j 

Buda.50,000 j 

38 


Presburg.44.000 

Cracow.42,000 

Ke t s kerne t.40,000 

Theresienstadt.40,000 

Debretzin.36.000 

Vicenza.33,000 

Mantua. .30,000 

Arad.27.000 

Kronstadt.27,000 

Cliioggia.27.000 

Czernovitz.26,000 

Udine.. 25,000 

Lintz.23,000 

Prussia. 

Berlin.623.000 

Breslau.164,000 

Cologne.123,000 

Kbnigsberg.101,000 

Magdeburg.99,000 

Dantzic.91,000 

Stettin.71,000 

Aix-la-Cliapellc.64,000 

Elberfeld.62,000 

Barmen.60,000 

Crefcld.54,000 

Posen.54,000 

Halle.46,000 

Dusseldorf.46,000 

Potsdam.42,000 

Frankfort-on-tbc-Oder40,oco 

Erfurt h.40.000 

Elbing.38,000 

Essen.31,000 

Coblentz.30,000 

Gdrlitz.30,000 

Dortmund.28,000 

Stralsund.27,000 

Guben.27,000 

Brandenburg.26,000 

Ilalberstadt.24,000 

Italy. 

Naples.447,000 

Turin.205,000 

Rome.204.000 

Milan.196,000 

Palermo.195,000 

Genoa.127,000 

Venice.119,000 

Florence.114,000 

Bologna..109,000 

Messina.103,000 

Leghorn.96,000 

Catania.69,000 

Ferrara.68,000 

Lucca.66,000 

Padua.65,000 

Ravenna..57,000 

Alessandria.57,000 

Modena.56,000 

Pisa.51,000 

Verona.50,000 

Reggio. 50,000 

Parma...,...48,000 

Ancona..45,'000 

Perugia...44,000 

Brescia.41,000 



































































































































































































446 POPULATION OF THE PRINCIPAL CITIES IN THE WORLD 


Piacenza.40,000 

Bergamo.39,000 

Forli.39,000 

Greece. 

Athens.41,000 

Ilermopolis.35< 000 

Zante.20,000 

Corfu.15,000 

Napoli.15.000 

Thebes.12,000 

Livadia.10,000 

Turkey. 

Constantinople.715,000 

Adrianople.140,000 

Salonica.70,000 

Serajevo.70,000 

Bucharest.61,000 

Bosna Serai.60,000 

Gallipoli.50,000 

Scutari.40,000 

Rodosto-.40,000 

Philippopolis.40,000 

Galatz.36,000 

Belgrade.30,000 

Rustchuk.30,000 

Sophia.30,000 


ASIA. 

Russia in Asia. 


Tiflis (Georgia).33,000 

Tomsk.25,000 

Irkoutsk.23,000 

Tobolsk.22,000 

Ochotsk.12,000 

Omsk.12,000 

Turkey in Asia. 

Smyrna.150,000 

Damascus.150,000 

Aleppo.70,000 

Bassorali.60,000 

Bagdad.60,000 

Brusa.60,000 

Erzeroum.40,000 

Scutari.40,000 

Mosul.40,000 

Diarbekir.3 5,<000 

Trebisond.30,000 

Jerusalem.20,000 

Arabia. 

Mecca.60,000 

Muscat.50,000 

Aden.50,000 

Sena.40,000 

Medina.18,000 

Persia. 

Balfrush.120,000 

Meshid.100,000 

Teheran.80,000 


Tabreez......80,000 f 

Reshd.60,000 | 

Ispahan.60,000 

Yezd.40,000 

Kermanshah.30,000 

Kerman.30,000 

Shiraz.28,000 

* 

Afghanistan. 

Candaliar.100,000 

Herat.60.000 

Cabul.60,000 

Peshawur.50,000 

Beloochistan. 

Kelat.15,000 

Gundava.6,000 

Turkestan. 

Bokhara.100,000 

Kliokan.60,000 

Tashkend.30,000 


India. 


Calcutta...500,000 

Benares. 400,000 

Madras.400,000 

Lucknow.300,000 

Patna.284,000 

Odey pore.27 5,000 

Bombay.250,000 

Arracan.250,000 

Delhi.200,000 

Hyderabad.200,000 

Dacca.200,000 

Caslim ere.200,000 

Ton quin.150,000 

Baroda.140,000 

Surat.135,000 

Umritsir.115,000 

Nagpore.110,000 

Keslio.110,000 

Saigon.100.00c 

Poonah.100,000 

Ahmedabad.100,000 

Oojein.100,000 

Bangkok. ... j00,000 

Moultan.80,000 

Lahore.80,000 

Agra.80,000 

Singapore.70,000 

Allahabad.65,000 

Hue.60,000 

Ava.50,000 

Calicut.30.000 

Amarapoora.30,000 

Chinese Empire. 

Pekin.1,800,000 

Canton.1.000,000 

Chang-chu-lu.1,000,000 

Tien-Tsin.700,000 

N an-Chang.700,000 


Soo-Chow. 


Hang-Chow.. 


Nankin. 


Foo-Chow. 


Kien-Kiang. 


Vou-Ting. 


Nan-Chang. 


Si-Ngan. 


Amoy. 


Shanghai. 


Yarkand. 


Jiga Gungar. 


J apan. 

Yeddo. 

,.2,000.000 

Miaco. 


Osaca. 

....150,000 


AFRICA, 

Barbary States, 


Tunis.130,000 

Morocco.100,000 

Fez.80,000 

Mequinez.60,000 

Kairwan.50,000 

Algiers.49.000 

Tripoli.25,000 

Constan tina.20,000 

Guinea, Southern Africa, 

&c. 

Abeokuta.100,000 

Coomassie.25,000 

Cape Town.25,000 

Abomey.24,000 

Benin.15,000 

Free Town.15,000 

St. Salvador.8,000 

Monrovia.4,000 

African Islands. 

Port Louis, Mauritius. .26.000 

Funchal, Madeira.25,000 

Ponte Delgada, Azores 22,000 

Zanzibar, Zanzibar.15,000 

St. Denis, Bourbon.12,000 


OCEANICA. 


Batavia, Java.150,000 

M an ilia, Phil ippin es.. 140,000 
Melbourne. Aus tral ia. 120,000 

Sydney, Australia.100,000 

Djokjokarta, Java.90,000 

Sourabaya, Java.60,000 

Samarang, Java.50.000 

Acheen, Sumatra.30,000 

Hobart Town, Tasma¬ 
nia .25,000 

Palembang, Sumatra..25,000 

Padang, Sumatra.22,000 

Borneo, Borneo.20,000 



























































































































































WIIAT THE PEOPLE OF THE PRINCIPAL COUNTRIES 
IN THE WORLD ARE CALLED, AND THE LAN¬ 
GUAGES THEY SEVERALLY SPEAK. 


Iceland. 

Greenland. 

Canada . 

United States. 

Mexico. 

West Indies. 

Colombia (U. S. of). 

Venezuela. 

Peru. 

Brazil. 

Bolivia.. 

Paraguay. 

Chili... 

England. 

Wales. 

Scotland. 

Ireland. 

Russia. 

Poland. 

Norway... 

Sweden. 

Prussia.. 

Denmark. 

Germany. 

Holland. 

Belgium. 

France. 

Spain. 

Portugal. 

Switzerland. 

Italy. 


.Icelanders. 

.Greenlanders 

.Canadians. 

.Americans.... 

.Mexicans,. 

.West Indians 
.Colombians... 
.Venezuelans.. 

.Peruvians. 

.Brazilians. 

.Bolivians.. 

.Paraguayans. 

.Chilians. 

. English.. 

Vi elsh. 

Scotch. 

.Irish. 

Russians. 

Poles. 

.Norwegians... 

Swedes. 

.Prussians. 

Danes. 

Germans. 

.Dutch. 

Belgians.. 

French. 

Spaniards. 

.Portuguese.... 

. Swiss. 

Italians. 


Austria 


Austrians 


Turkey.. 

Greece. 

Siberia.. 

Arabia. 

Persia. 

Afghanistan 

Beloochistan 

Hindoostan.. 


Turks. 

Greeks. 

Siberians. 

Arabs, Arabians 

Persians. 

Afghans. 

Beloochees. 

Hindoos. 


East Indies 


East Indians 


Siam. 

China. 

Japan. 

Algeria.... 

Egypt. 

Abyssinia 


.Siamese,. 

Chinese. 

.Japanese. 

• Algerines... 
.Egyptians... 
. A byssi nians 


Australasia. 


Australasians, 


.Icelandic. 

.Danish and Esquimaux. 
.English and French. 

English. 

.Spanish. 

.Spanish. 

.Spanish. 

.Spanish 

.Spanish. 

.Portuguese. 

.Spanish. 

.Spanish. 

.Spanish. 

.English. 

.English and Welsh. 

.English and Gaelic. 

.English and Irish. 

.Russian. 

.Polish. 

.Danish. 

.Swedish. 

.German. 

.Danish. 

.German. 

.Dutch. 

.Flemish and French. 

.French. 

.Spanish. 

Portuguese. 

.German, French, and Italian. 
.Italian. 

fGerman, Hungarian, and 
* ( Slavonic. 

.Turkish. 

.Greek. 

.Russian (chiefly). 

.Arabic. 

Persian. 

Persian and Ilindoostanee. 
.Beloochce and Ilindoostanee. 
.Ilindoostanee and others, 
f Ilindoostanee, Bengalee, Si- 
) amese, Malay, &c. 
Siamese. 

Chinese. 

Japanese. 

.Chiefly Arabic. 

Chiefly Arabic and Italian. 
Abyssinian. 

(Dutch and English. Vari- 
< ous native languages arc 
( spoken. 

447 


































































































EXPLANATION AND MEANING OF GEO¬ 
GRAPHICAL WORDS. 


Aalborg, eel-town. 

Aar, the river. 

Abbeville, abbot’s town. 

Abeokuta, under the stone. 

Aberdeen, at the mouth of the Dee. 
Abingdon, abbey hill. 

Abyssinia, mixed people. 

Accomack, land beyond. 

Aciiill, eagle. 

Acton, oak town. 

Adelsberg, noble's hill. 

Aden, paradise. 

Adirondack, he eats bark. 

Adrianople, city of Adrian. 

Adriatic, sea of Adrian. 

Afghanistan, country of the Afghans. 
Agua Nueva, new water. 

Aguas Calientes, warm springs. 

Aguliias, needles. 

Aicustadt, oak town. 

Aix-la-Ciiapelle, waters of the chapel. 
Akerman, white town. 

Akhaf, the waves of sand. 

Ak-IIissar, white castle. 

Alagoas, abounding in lakes. 

Alameda, a row of poplar-trees. 

Alamo, a poplar-tree. 

Aland, land of rivers. 

Albania, mountain region. 

Albion, white island. 

Albuquerque, white oak. 

Alcala de Henares, castle of the river. 
Alcantara, the bridge. 

Alemtejo, beyond the Tagus (from Lisbon). 
Aleutian, a bald rock. 

Algarve, land lying to the west. 

Algiers, the island. 

Alhambra, the red (castle). 

Allahabad, city of God. 

Almaden, the mine. 

Almeria, the conspicuous. 

Almirante, admiral. 

Alnwick, town upon the Alne. 

448 


l Alost, to the east. 

Alps, hills white with snow. 

Altai, golden. 

Altamaha, place of the village. 

Altenburg, old castle. 

Altenkirchen, old churches. 

Altorf, old village. 

Amarapoora, city of immortality. 

Amazon, boat-destroyer. 

Amboyna, dewy. 

Amsterdam, the dam or dike on the Amstel. 
Anatolia, the east (from Constantinople). 
Ancona, an elbow, or angle. 

Andalusia, a corruption of “ Vandalusia,” 
the Vandals having settled it. 

Andes, copper. 

Anglesey, Englishman's island. 

Angostura, the strait. 

Anguilla, little snake. 

Annapolis, city of Anne. 

Anspach, on the brook. 

Antigua, ancient. 

Antiparos, opposite Paros. 

Antwerp, at the wharf. 

Appenzell, abbot's cell. 

Arabia, land of sunset, or land of wan¬ 
derers. 

Aral, island (sea). 

Aranjuez, altar of Jupiter. 

Ararat, plains of the Aryans. 

Argyle, west Gael country. 

Arizona, sand hills. 

Armagh, the high field. 

Aroostook, good river. 

[ Ascutney, fire mountain. 

! Asia, the east. 

Aspropotamo, white river. 

Astrakhan, district of a khan. 

Asturias, rocks and river-mouths 
Atchafalaya, lost water. 

Athabasca, swampy. 

Athens, city of Minerva. 

Athlone, ford of the moon. 








MEANING OF GEOGRAPHICAL WORDS 


44‘J 


Athol, pleasant land. 

Auburn, old brook. 

Auckland, oak land. 

Augsburg, town of Augustus. 

Auraria, gold town. 

Aurungabad, throne town. 

Au Sable, sandy. 

Australia, southern land. 

Ava, a fish-pond. 

Avon, a river. 

Azerbaijan, country of fire. 

Azores, hawks. 

Baalbec, city of the sun. 

Bab-el-Mandeb, gato of tears (from the 
numerous shipwrecks there). 

Babylon, court of Bolus. 

Badajoz, land of health. 

Baden, baths. 

Baghistan, country of gardens. 

Bahia Honda, deep bay. 

Baiir-Bela-Ma, the waterless sea. 
Baiir-el-Abiad, the white river. 
Bahr-el-Azrak, the blue river. 

Baikal, rich lake. 

Balaklava, fair haven. 

Balfrush, mart of burdens. 

Balize, a corruption of the name of Wallace, 
its discoverer. 

Bally, a Celtic prefix signifying “ town.” 
Baltic, abounding in straits. 

Bangor, high choir. 

Banjarmassin, salt water. 

Basseterre, low land. 

Bassoraii, a margin. 

Batavia, low plain. 

Baton Rouge, red staff. 

Bayonne, a port. 

Bayou, a creek, an outlet. 

Bedford, (own of the ford. 

Bedouins, dwellers in the desert. 
Beersheba, well of the oath. 
Belf.d-el-Jerid, land of dates. 

Belgrade, white city. 

Bellefontaink, fine fountain. 

Belleisle, beautiful island. 

Ben Lomond, beacon mountain. 

Ben More, big mountain. 

Ben Nevis, cloud-capped mountain. 
Bf.resina, birch (river). 

Bergen, mountains (from its situation). 
Bermudas, named from Bermudez, their 
discoverer. 


Berne, country of bears. 

Bethany, boat-house. 

Beverley, lake of beavers. 

Bideford, by the ford. 

Bijou, jewel. 

Bilbao, fine fort. 

Birmingham, broom-place dwelling. 
Blanco, white. 

Bo avista, fine view. 

Boca, mouth. 

BdHMERWALD, the Bohemian forest. 

Bois Blanc, white wood. 

Bois-le-Duc, the duke's forest. 

Bojador, round cape. 

Bokhara, treasury of sciences. 

Bombay, good harbor. 

Bon IIomme, good man. 

Bordeaux, border of the water. 

Borgne, blind of one eye. 

Borneo, land. 

Bosna Serai, the Bosnian palace. 
Bosphorus, ford of the heifer. 

Boston, (St.) Botolpli’s town. 

Bothnia, deep sea. 

Bradford, broad ford. 

Brahmapootra, offspring of Brahma. 

Bras d'Or, golden arm. 

Braunfels, brown rock. 

Brazos, arms. 

Brest, great port. 

Bristol, place of the bridge. 

Bruck, bridge. 

Bruges, bridges. 

Brunn, ford. 

Bucharest, city of enjoyment. 

Budweis, white dwelling. 

Buena Esperanza, good hope. 

Buena Vista, fine view. 

Buenos Ayres, good airs. 

Bushire (Auu-Shehr), father of cities. 
Cache, a place of concealment. 

Cache A Poudre, powder “cache.” 
Cachoeira, a waterfall. 

Cader Idris, chair of Idris (a fabled Welsh 
giant). 

Cadiz, enclosed. 

Caermarthen, Merlin’s fort. 

Caernarvon, fort opposite Mon (Anglesea). 
Cairngorm, blue stone-heap. 

Cairo, the victorious. 

Calcutta, temple of Kali (goddess of Time). 
Cambridge, bridge of the Cam (river). 


38* 




450 


MEANING OF GEOGRAPHICAL WORDS 


Cameroons, from the Portuguese word for a 
“ shrimp.” 

Campo Basso, low field. 

Canada, a collection of huts. 

Canajoiiarie, a kettle-shaped hole in the 
rock. 

Canandaigua, a chosen spot. 

Canary, from Latin canis, a “ dog.” 
Canaveral, cane-plantation. 

Canterbury, city of Kent. 

Cantire (Iyixtyre), a headland. 

Cardiff, fort of the Taff. 

Carlsbad, Charles’s bath. 

Carlshamn, Charles’s harbor. 

Carlsruhe, Charles’s rest. 

Carmel, vineyard of God. 

Carrickfergus, rock of Fergus. 

Carthage, new town. 

Casas Grandes, large houses. 

Casco, crane. 

Cassel, castle. 

Castellamare, castle by the sea. 

Catskill, cat's creek. 

Caucasus, white mountains. 

Cawnpore, city of a khan. 

Caxamarca, a place of frost. 

Cayuga, long lake. 

Cerro, a mountain-peak. 

Cerro Gordo, a mountain-pass. 

Cevero (or Severo) Yostochnoi, northeast 
(cape). 

Ceylon, island of the lions. 

Chaleurs, heats. 

Chamouni, fortified plain. 

Chateauroux, red castle. 

Chatham, village of cottages. 
Chattahoochee, painted stone. 

Chaudi^re, a boiler. 

Chautauqua, a foggy place. 

Chemung, big horn. 

Cherbourg, Caesar’s town. 

Chesapeake, great Avaters. 

Chester, a camp. 

Chesuncook, great goose lake. 

Chili, land of snow. 

Chimborazo, a chimney. 

Chuquisaca, bridge of gold. 

Cimarron, wild, unruly. 

Circassia, country of those who cut off 
heads. 

Ciudad Real, royal city. 

Civita Vecciiia, old town. 


Clarendon, treeless hill. 

Clermont, clear mountain. 

Cleveland, cliff land. 

Clonmel, vale of honey. 

Cobi, desert. 

Coblentz, confluence. 

Cocheco, very rapid. 

Coiiasset, place of pines. 

Coleraine, corner of the ferns. 

Cologne, a colony. 

Colorado, red, colored. 

Connecticut, upon the long river. 
Connemara, the bays of the ocean. 
Constantinople, city of Constantine. 

Coos, place of pines. 

Copenhagen, merchants’ haven. 

Copiah, a screech-owl. 

Cora z on, heart. 

Cork, a marsh. 

Corpus Ciiristi, body of Christ. 

Corrientes, currents. 

Costa Rica, rich coast. 

Cote d’Or, golden slope. 

Coteau des Prairies, upland of the prairies. 
Coventry, convent town. 

Cronstadt, crown town. 

Croydon, chalk hill. 

Cruces, crosses. 

Cuenca, a shell. 

Cumberland, land of hollows. 

Cuttack, royal residence. 

Cuzco, navel. 

Cyclades, circling (islands). 

Daghestan, country of mountains. 
Dahlonega, place of gold. 

Dakota, allied. 

Dal Elf, Dal river. 

Dalles, flagstones; (secondarily), a trough 
Dantzic, village of the Danes. 

Danube, low meadow. 

Darfur, country of the Foorians. 

Deccan, the south. 

Delft, a canal. 

Delgada, or Delgado, delicate, sharp. 
Delhi, a quicksand. 

Denmark, low country. 

Deptford, deep ford. 

Derbend, the shut-up gates. 

Derby, deer’s dwelling. 

Derry, an oak. 

Desaguadero, an outlet. 

Descabezado, headless. 



MEANING OF GEOGRAPHICAL WORDS 


451 


Desconocida, unknown. 

Des Moines, of the mounds. 

Despoblado, uninhabited. 

D’Espoir, of hope. 

Detroit, a strait. 

Deutsch Krone, German crown. 
Dhawalaghiri, white mountain. 

Dieppe, deep. 

Dnieper, the upper river. 

Dniester, the lower river. 

Dominica, Sunday. 

Doobaunt, turbid water. 

Douglas, black-gray. 

Dover, a ferry. 

Dovrefield, mountain-range of Dovre (a 
village on its side). 

Downpatrick, mount of Patrick. 
Drachenfels, dragon’s rock. 

Drogheda, bridge of the ford. 

Drontiieim, home of the throne. 

Dublin, black pool. 

Dulce, sweet. 

Dunkirk, church of the downs. 

Durham, abode of wild beasts. 

Dusiitistan, level country. 

Dwina, the double river. 

Eau Claire, clear water. 

Ebro, foaming river. 

Ecuador, the equator. 

Edinburgh, castle of Edwin. 
Ehrenbreitstein, broad stone of honor. 
Elbe, white. 

Elbruz, peaked mountains. 

El Dorado land of gold. 

El Llano Estacado, the staked plain. 

El Paso del Norte, pass of the north. 
EngaSo, deception. 

England, land of the Angles. 

Entre Rios, between the rivers. 

Erie, wild cat. 

Erzeroum, land of Roma 
Erzgebirge, ore mountains. 

Esmeralda, emerald. 

Espiuitu Santo, Holy Spirit. 

Esquimaux, eaters of raw flesh. 

Essex, east Saxon (country). 

Estrella, a star. 

Ethiopia, land of burnt-faced people. 
Euphrates, to make glad. 

Europe, the west (from Asia). 

Euxine, hospitable. 

Valaise, a precipice. 


Faroe, sheep islands. 

Fayal, a beech tree. 

Fichtelgebirge, pine mountain. 
Finisterre, land's end. 

Fiord, a bay or estuary. 

Florid\, blooming. (Discovered by Ponce 
do Leon on Easter-Sunday,—in Spanish 
Pascua Jlorida). 

Fooo, fire. 

FGnd du Lac, end of the lake. 
Fontainebleau, fountain of beautiful water 
Fontarabia, rapid stream. 

Formosa, beautiful. 

Fortaleza, a stronghold. 

France, free country. 

Frankfort, ford of the Franks. 

Freiburg, free town. 

Friedland, land of peace. 

Frio, cold. 

Frisches-Haff, fresli-water sea. 

Fuentes de Onoro, fountains of honor. 
Funen, beautiful country. 

Funfkirciien, five churches. 

Furruck abad, happy residence. 

Galapagos, tortoises. 

Gallas, invaders. 

Gallipolis, beautiful city. 

Galway, western way. 

Ganges, flowing through earth to heaven. 
Garigliano, marshy river. 

Garonne, rapid river. 

Germany, named from the Wehrmanni, 
“ war-men,” one of the primitive tribes. 
Geysers, boiling springs. 

Ghaut, a gate, a mountain-pass. 

Gibraltar, mountain of Tarif (Gibel-Tarif) 
Glasgow, green wood. 

Gloucester, fair city. 

Gosport, God’s port. 

Gracias a Dios, thanks to God. 

Gran Chaco, great desert. 

Grand £core, large bluff. 

Grand Mvrais, large marsh. 

Greenwich, green village. 

Grenoble, city of Gratian. 

Guadalquivir, the great river. 

Hague, a hedge, a grove. 

Hainan, south of tho sea. 

IIalle, salt-work. 

Hampstead, homestead. 

Harwich, army town. 

Havana, the harbor. 





452 


MEANING OF GEOGRAPHICAL WORDS 


Havre de Grace, harbor of* grace. 

IIayti, high land. 

Hedjaz, land of pilgrimage. 

Heilbronn, holy well. 

IIelderberg, clear mountain. 

Heligoland, holy land. 

Hell Gate, a corruption of the Dutch Horll 
Gatt , “ whirlpool strait.” 

IIenlopen, running in. 

Hereford, army ford 
IIermon, destruction. 

IIerrnhut, protection of the Lord. 
Himalaya, abode of snow. 

JIindoostan, land of the blacks. 
Hispaniola, little Spain. 

IIo, a Chinese word signifying “river.” 
IIoang-IIo, yellow river. 

IIoboken, a tobacco-pipe. 

IIohenlinden, high lindens. 

Holland, hollow land. 

Holstein, the wood of the Saxons. 
IIong-Kong, red harbor; or, IIiang-Kiang, 
fragrant streams. 

IIoricon, lake of silver water. 

IIou-Nan, south of the lake. 

IIou-Pe, north of the lake. 

IIousatonic, the river beyond the hills. 
Huerfano, orphan. 

IIuevos (island), eggs. 

Hyderabad, town of the lion. 

IIythe, a haven. 

Illinois, river of men. 

Indus, the sea. 

Innspruck, bridge of the Inn. 

Interlachen, between the lakes. 

Inverness, at the mouth of the Ness. 

Iowa, the drowsy ones. 

Ireland, the western isle. 

Irrawaddy, the great river. 

Iztacciiiuatl, the white lady. 

Jaffa (Joppa), beauty. 

Jamaica, land of w r ood and water. 

Japan, country of sunrise. 

Java, rice. 

Jekil Irmak, green river. 

Jersey, Caesar’s isle. 

Jerusalem, vision of peace. 

Jordan, the river of judgment. 
Juggernaut, lord of the world. 

Jungfrau, the maiden. 

J utland, land of giants. 

Kafiristan, land of the unbelievers. 
Kansas, smoky water. 


Karasu, black river. 

Katahdin, the highest place. 

Kearsarge, the high place. 

Kelat, a fort. 

Kenilworth, mansion on the canal. 
Kennebec, long lake. 

Kentucky, at the head of a river. 

Key West, a corruption of Cayo Huesc>. 
“ bone key.” 

IvnoRASSAN, region of the sun. 

Kildare, church of the oaks. 

Kilimanjaro, the great mountain. 
Kilkenny, church of (St.) Kenny. 
Kinderiiook, children's point. 
Kin-sha-Kiang, river of golden sands. 

Kizil Irmak, red river. 

Kizil Koom, red sand. 

Koko-Nor, blue sea. 

Kong, a mountain. 

Konigsberg, the king’s fortress. 
Koordistan, land of the fierce. 

Koosii, mountain. 

Kordofan, the white land. 

La aland, low land. 

Labrador, workable (land). 

Lac qui Parle, talking lake. 

Ladrones, thieves. 

La Fourche, the fork. 

Lago Maggiore, larger lake. 

(Lagoa) de los Patos, duck lake. 
Lancaster, fort on the Lan. 

Langeland, long land. 

La Paz, peace. 

La Plata, silver. 

Lassa, land of the divine intelligence. 
Lauterbrunnen, clear fountain. 

L'Eau qui Court, the running water. 
Lebanon, the white mountain. 

Leicester, camp of the legion. 

Leipsic, home of the lindens. 

Lemberg, city, of the lion. 

Lena, a sluggard. 

Lennox, Leven’s field. 

Lenoir, the black. 

Levant, the rising (the east). 

Leven, sacred river. 

Liberia, free state. 

Lichtenstein, clear stone. 

Liimfiord, muddy inlet. 

Lille, or Lisle, the island. 

Lincoln, hill on the Linn. 

Ling, a Chinese word denoting a “moun¬ 
tain-range.” 



MEANING OF GEOGRAPHICAL WORDS. 


453 


Litchfield, field of dead bodies. 

Lobos, seals. 

Lobos de Afuera, seaward Lobos. 

Lobos de Tierra, landward Lobos. 

Los Angeles, (city of) the angels. 

Lough Derg, red lake. 

Lucerne, a light-house. 

Luxor, the palaces. 

Lyons, hill of the raven. 

Macao, the entrance to the bay. 

Maciiado, a hatchet. 

Madeira, timber. 

Madras, university town. 

Madre, mother. 

Maelstrom, grinding stream. 

Maestriciit, passage of the Meuse. 
Maiianuddy, great river. 

Maimatchin, place of trade. 

Majorca, greater (island). 

Malabar, country of mountains. 
Maladetta, accursed. 

Maldives, thousand islands. 

Malheur, misfortune. 

Mamaroneck, place of rolling stones. 

Man (Isle of), rocky (island). 

Manhattan, the town on the island. 
Manitoowoc, river of spirits. 

Manitoulin, spirit-islands. 

Margarita, a pearl. 

Mariazell, cell or shrine of Mary. 
Marmora, marble. 

Mars alia, port of God. 

Mas a Fuera, more outward (from the land). 
Mas a Tierra, more landward. 
Massachusetts, about the great hills. 
Matto Grosso, great forest. 

Mauna Loa, great mountain. 

Medina, the city. 

Mediterranean, midland. 

Meinam, mother of waters. 

Melbourne, mill stream. 

Melrose, naked promontory. 

Memphis, temple of the good God. 
Mempiiremagoo, land of abundance. 

Menan (Grand), island. 

Merrimac, swift water. 

Mersey, sea island. 

Mesopotamia, country between the rivers. 
Mexico, a corruption of Mexitli , the name 
of the Aztec god of war. 

Miaco, capital. 

Michigan, a flsh-welr. 

Millk Lacs, thousand lakes. 


Milwaukee, rich land. 

Minnehaha, laughing water. 

Minnesota, cloudy w ater. 

Minorca, lesser (island). 

Mississippi, the great water. 

Missouri, muddy water. 

Mohawk, men-e&ters. 

Monadnock, the spirit's place. 

Monos, (island of) apes. 

Mont Blanc, white mountain. 

Montenegro, black mountain. 

Monterey, king's mountain. 

Montevideo, I see a mountain. 
Montpellier, mountain of the young girls. 
Montreal, royal mountain. 

Montserrat, jagged mountain. 

Munich, monks. 

Nagpore, town of serpents. 

N ah ant, at the point. 

Nakshivan, first place of descent (of the 
ark). 

Nankin, southern capital. 

Nan-Ling, southern mountain-chain. 
Naples, new city. 

Naplouse, new city. 

Natal, so named by Vasco da Gama because 
he discovered it on Christmas day (day of 
the Nativity). 

Naugatuck, fork of the rivers. 

I Nazareth, separated. 

Naze, nose, cape, promontory. 

Nebraska, flat water. 

Nedsjed, the highlands. 

Negropont, black bridge. 

Neilgherry, blue mountain. 

Nepissing, at the small lake. 

Neufchatel, new castle. 

Neustadt, new city. 

Neversink, high land between waters. 
Nez-Perc£s, pierced noses. 

Niagap.a, neck of water. 

Nicobar, nine islands. 

Nicopolis, city of victory. 

Niger, black. (Dr. Barth, however, says it 
is a contraction of one of the native 
names, denoting “ the river.'’) 

Niphon, fountain of light. 

Nizhni Novgorod, lower Novgorod. 

Nombre de Dios, name of God. 

Norfolk, northern people. 

Norwalk, the middle land. 

Norwich, north to%vn. 

Notre Dame, Our Lady (the Virgin Mary). 






454 


MEANING OF GEOGRAPHICAL WORDS 


Nottingham, home with caves. 

Nova Zembla, new land. 

Novgorod, new town. 

Nubia, gold country. 

Nuestra Senora, Our Lady. 

Nyanza, the water. 

Nykoping, new mart. 

Ockley, oak meadow. 

Ocmulgee, the rivers. 

Oconee, water-course. 

Odense, Odin’s island. 

Ohio, the beautiful river. 

Ojo Caliente, warm spring. 

Ojo del Muerto, corpse spring. 

Oneida, people of the beacon-stone. 
Onondaga, place of the hills. 

Oporto, the port. 

Oregon, river of the west. 

Orinoco, coiled serpent. 

Orkneys, northern islands. 

Orleans, named from the Emperor Aurelian 

4 

(Aitrelianus). 

Osage, the strong. 

Ossipee, stony river. 

Oswegatchie, black water. 

Ottawa, traders. 

Oude, invincible. 

Oudenarde, old land. 

Ouse, water. 

Padre, father. 

Paisley, moist pasture-ground. 

Palermo, convenient harbor. 

Palestine, land of wanderers. 

Palo Pinto, painted stick. 

Pampeluna, city of Pompey. 

Papua, frizzled hair. 

Para, father of waters. 

Paraguay, great river. 

Parana, the sea. 

Pascagoula, nation of bread. 

Pass a l’Outre, outer pass. 

Passaic, valley. 

Patagonia, land of large feet. 

Patna, the town. 

Pawcatuck, clear river. 

Pawtucket, at the falls. 

Pawtuxet, at the little falls. 

Pedregal, a place full of stones. 

Pei-IIo, white river. 

Pekin, northern capital. 

Pe-Ling, northern mountain-chain. 
Pennsylvania, Penn’s woods. 

Penobscot, at the rock. 


Perdido, lost. 

Perekop, a cut, or canal. 

Pescadores, (islands of) fishermen. 
Peshawur, the advanced post. 

Petit Bois, little forest. 

Philadelphia, city of brotherly love. 
Piedmont, foot of the mountain. 

Piedra Blanca, white stone. 

Pintada, painted, mottled. 

Piscataqua, great deer river. 

Pisgah, hill, height. 

Pitou des Neiges, snowy peak. 
Platten-See, shallow sea. 

Point Coupee, point cut-off. 

Poland, flat land. 

Polynesia, many islands. 

Pomerania, upon the sea. 

Pomme-de-Terre, potato. 

Pondicherry, near town. 

Ponte Corvo, crooked bridge. 

Pontefract, broken bridge. 

Pontevedra, old bridge. 

Pont Neuf, new bridge. 

Popocatepetl, hill that smokes. 

Port au Prince, prince’s port. 

Porto Bello, beautiful harbor. 

Porto IIespanhol, Spanish port. 

Porto Praya, port on the coast. 

Porto (or Puerto) Rico, rich port. 

Porto Santo, holy port. 

Porto Seguro, safe port. 

Portugal, port of the Gauls. 

Potomac, place of the burning pine. 
Poughkeepsie, pleasant harbor. 

Prague, a threshold. 

Prairie du Chien, dog’s meadow. 

Presburg, priest town. 

Presidio, fortress, garrison. 

Presque Isle, peninsula (almost an island). 
Preston, priest’s town. 

Prussia, country of the Borussi ; (according 
to some authorities, “ next to Russia.”) 
Pruth, river. 

Pueblo Nuevo, new town. 

Puerto Principe, prince’s port. 

Punjaub, country of the five rivers. 

Qualoe, whale island. 

Q t jang-Se, western province. 

Quang-Tung, eastern province. 

Quatre Bras, four arms. 

Quebec, take care of the rock. 

Quemado, burned. 

Quinebaug, long pond. 




MEANING OF GEOGRAPHICAL WORDS. 


455 


Quinnipiac, the surrounding country. 
Racine, root. 

Rappahannock, where water ebbs and flows. 

R.EICH8TADT, rich town. 

Reikiavik, steam town. 

Restigouch£, river which divides like the 
hand. 

Reyes, kings. 

Rhodes, a rose. 

Riesen-Gebirge, giant mountains. 

Rio del Norte, river of the north. 

Rio Frio, cold river. 

Rio Grande, great river. 

Rio Hondo, deep river. 

Rio Janeiro, river of January. 

Rio Negro, black river. 

Rio Puerco, wild-boar river. 

Riviere aux Likvres, hare river. 

Rivi£re du Loup, wolf river. 

Roanoke, wampum. 

Rochefort, strong rock. 

Rome, strength. 

Romney, marsh island. 

Roseau, a reed. 

Rossioxol, nightingale. 

Roxburgh, castle on a promontory. 

Sable, sand. 

Sagadahoc, ending-place. 

Sahara-Bkla-Ma, waterless desert. 

Sainte Croix, holy cross. 

Salado, salt. 

Salem, peace. 

Salto Grande, great leap. 

Salzburg, salt castle. 

Samos, prominent. 

San Diego, St. James. 

San Domingo, holy Sabbath. 

Sandusky, cold spring. 

Sangre de Christo, blood of Christ. 

San Jos£, St. Joseph. 

San Juan Bautista, St. John the Baptist. 

San Juan del Sur, St. John of the South. 

San Pablo, SJo Paulo, St. Paul. 

San Pedro, St. Peter. 

San Salvador, Holy Saviour. 

Santa Croce, S\nta Cruz, holy cross. 

Santa Fe, holy faith. 

Santa Inez, St. Agnes. 

Santiago, St. James. 

Sao ChristovXo, St. Christopher. 

S.Io Felipe, St. Philip. 

Saonk, the placid river. 

Saraoo8SA, city of Ctesar Augustus. 


Saranac, river that flows under rock. 
Saratoga, place of the miraculous water in 
a rock. 

Saskatchawan, swift current. 

Saut St. Marie, falls (leap) of St. Mary. 
Scarborough, rock town. 

SCHAFFHAUSEN, Sheep-hoUSeS. 

Schenectady, the place beyond the pines. 
Schoharie, drift-wood. 

Schonbrunn, beautiful spring. 

Schoodic, burnt lands. 

Schuylkill, hidden creek. 

Schwarzburg, black town. 

Scutari, messenger. 

Sebastopol, city of Augustus. 
Se.mipalatinsk, the seven palaces. 

Seneca, a corruption of the Dutch sinnibar, 
“vermilion.” 

Serampore, city of prosperity. 

Serro do Espinha^o, spine range. 

Shanghai, supreme port. 

Shannon, old river. 

Shan-Se, the mountainous west. 

Shan-Tung, the mountainous east. 
Siiawangunk, white rocks. 

Sheboygan, the river that comes out of the 
ground. 

Siien-Se, western frontier. 

Shrewsbury, the town among shrubs. 

Sicily, cut off (from Italy). 

Sierra df.l Cobre, copper range. 

Sierra Leone, lion mountains. 

Sierra Morena, brown mountain-range. 
Sierra Nevada, snow-clad mountain-range. 
Singapore, city of lions. 

Skager Rack, crooked strait of Skagen. 
Skaneateles, very long lake. 

Sxeehatten, snow-cap. 

Snowdon, snow’-clad hill. 

Soledad, solitude. 

Soodan, land of the blacks. 

Spa, a fountain. 

Spitzbergen, peaked mountain. 

Sporades, scattered (islands). 

Staffa, isle of steps or colonnades. 

I Staunton, stone town. 

Stavropol, city of the cross. 

St. Etienne, St. Stephen. 

Stockholm, island formed by piles. 
Strasbourg, castle on the highway. 
Stratford, street ford. 

Stuttgard, stallion enclosure. 

Suffolk, south people. 






456 


MEANING OF GEOGRAPHICAL WORDS 


Sunderland, sundered land. 

Susquehanna, winding river. 

Sussex, south Saxon (country). 
Suwahillies, inhabitants of the coast. 
Svtatoi, holy. 

Sweden, land of the Suevi. 

Tadmor, city of palm-trees. 

Ta-Kiang, great river. 

Tallahassee, old town. 

Tallahatchie, river of the rock. 
Tananarivou, city of a thousand towns. 
Tappan, cold stream. 

Tasii-Kend, stone fortress. 

Taurus, a mountain. 

Tciiing-Kiang, river town. 

Tennessee, a curved spoon; or, river of the 
big bend. 

Terceira, third (in length, of the Azores). 
Terra del Fuego, land of lire. 

Terra Nova, new land. 

Terre IIaute, high land. 

TnERESiENSTADT, city of Theresa. 
Thermopylae, the hot gates. 

Tiiian-Shan, celestial mountains. 

Tigris, an arrow. 

Tioga, swift current. 

Todos Santos, all saints. 

Tonawanda, swift-running w^ater 
Torbay, headland bay. 

Toronto, oak-trees rising from the lake. 
Torres Vedras, old towers. 

Tortugas, tortoises. 

Trapani, a sickle. 

Tras-os-Montes, beyond the mountains. 
Trebisond, trapezium-shaped. 

Trent, winding river. 

Tres Barras, Rio de, river with three bars. 
Tres Pontes, three bridges. 

Trinidad, Trinity. 

Tripoli, three cities. 

Trois Rivieres, three rivers. 

Tunbridge, town bridge. 

Tuscaloosa, black w r arrior. 

Tuscany, country of the Etrusci. 

Tweed, limit. 

Ukraine, frontier district. 

Umbagog, clear lake. 

Umritsir, fount of immortality. 
Unterwalden, among the woods .' 1 
Ural, a girdle. 


UTREcnT, beyond the passage (of the Rhine). 

VACHES, COW'S. 

Valencia, strong, powerful. 

Valparaiso, vale of paradise. 

Valverde, green valley. 

Vaucluse, closed valley. 

Venezuela, little Venico. 

Vera Cruz, true cross. 

Verd, green. 

Vermejo, vermilion. 

Vermont, green mountain. 

Vienna, abode of the 'Wends. 

Villa Boa, good city. 

Villa Fuerte, strong city. 

Villa IIermosa, beautiful city. 

Villa Real, royal city. 

Villa Rica, rich city. 

Villa Veliia, old town. 

Wabash, a cloud driven by the equinoctial 
wind. 

Waciiusett, the mountain. 

Walden, woody den. 

Wales, west country. 

Waltham, home in the wood. 

Walwisch, whale. 

Warwick, a fortified place. 

Washita, male deer, 
j Westmoreland, west moor-land. 
Wetumpka, waterfall. 

Wheeling, place of a head. 

: Windermere, clear-watcr lake. 

| Winnipeg, turbid water. 

I Winnipiseogee, beautiful lake of the high 
land; or, smile of the Great Spirit. 
Winona, first-born daughter. 

Winooski, beautiful stone river. 

Wintiirop, village of the furze. 

Wiscassf.t, place of yellow pine. 
Wisconsin, wild rushing channel. 
Wurzburg, herb tow n. 

Yang-tse-Kjang, son of the ocean. 

Yemen, land to the right (of Mecca). 
Yonkers, a gentleman, a country nobleman 
Yunnan, cloudy region of the south. 
Zanguebar, sea-coast of the negroes. 
Zealand, sea-land. 

Zendarood, living stream. 

Zuyder Zee, south sea. 

Zweibrucken, two bridges. 





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